NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Description. 



THE GREY SQUIRREL. 



THIS species is about the size of a young rab- 

 bit; and both in form and manners nearly resem- 

 bles the common squirrel. Its hair is grey, 

 mingled with black ; and on each side there is a 

 red streak which runs lengthwise. 



These squirrels frequently change the places 

 of their residence; and sometimes not one of 

 them can be found during a whole winter, where 

 there were millions in the preceding year. In 

 their journeys from one part of the country to 

 another, it sometimes becomes necessary to pass 

 a lake or river; which they often do with perfect 

 safety; but if the wind blow strong, or the waves 

 rise high, three or four thousand of them are 

 Sometimes wrecked in their voyage. 



These animals are said to commit serious de- 

 predations among the plantations in North Ame- 

 rica, but particularly among the maize; for they 

 climb up the stalks, tear the ears in pieces, and 

 eat only the loose and sweet kernel which lies 

 quite in the inside. They sometimes come by 

 hundreds upon a maize-field, and thus destroy 

 the whole crop of a farmer in one night. In 

 Maryland therefore, some years ago, every person 

 was compelled to procure and exhibit annually 

 four fresh squirrels; the heads of which, to pre- 

 vent deceit, were given to the surveyor. In other 

 provinces, every one who killed a squirrel re- 



