172 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the same color as the dorsal stripe, margined with black and reddish- 

 yellow ; beneath the tail, the same color as on the sides of the body. 

 Several specimens before me have the tail broadly banded with black at 

 its extremity, with a rusty tip. There are several long, whisker-like 

 hairs extending beyond the fur on the fore-legs, and beneath the body. 

 I have noticed these on all the squirrels and weasels ; they are probably 

 designed for feelers. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Length of head, H to If inches. 



Length of head and body, G| to 7 inches. 



Lengtli of tail, not including the hairs at the tip, 4^ to 5 inches. 



Length of tail, including the hairs at the tip, 51 to G^ inches. 



Length of hind foot to end of claws, 1| to 2^ inches. 



Genus : Pteromys. — (Cuvier.) 

 Characteristics. — Head rounded ; ears short and rounded; eyes large; 

 molars, ten in the upper jaw, eight in the lower ; fore-feet, four-toed, with 

 a rudimentary thumb having an obtuse nail ; hind-feet, five-toed ; the 

 anterior and posterior limbs and feet connected together by a thin mem- 

 brane, extending from the sides, which is densely clothed with fur above 

 and beneath ; on the fore-feet there is a slender bone springing from the 

 thumb, which partially extends and strengthens this membrane when 

 the animal is flying; tail nearly or quite as long as the body, thin and 

 widened. 



Pteromys volucella, (Pallas.) — Flying Squirrel. 

 This beautiful and interesting little animal is common in some parts 

 of the State, but is generally rare. Its habits are nocturnal, it being 

 very seldom seen in the daytime ; it is an active, playful animal, and 

 makes an interesting pet, being easily tamed. Numbers of them live 

 together as famiUes, usually in the hollows of trees. When travelHng 

 for amusement, or in search of food, this species uses its wings a great 

 deal, sailing gracefully from tree to tree, alighting lower than it started, 

 but running up the trunk or branches until high enough for another flight, 

 (or sail, more properly,) its passage through the air being more like the 

 sailing of a parachute than the flight of a bat or bird. Its food consists 

 of nuts, principally, although grain is eaten readily by it. This is hardly 

 its natural food, however, as it very seldom leaves the woods. It gathers 

 together stores of food for winter use, but not such quantities as the other 

 squirrels. It does not always build nests in the trees, like the arboreal 

 squirrels, neither does it live in burrows beneath the ground, like the 

 ground squirrels, but throughout the year resides in hollow trees. I 

 think this species hibernates, partially, at least, but am not certain. 



