THE SQUIRREL. 359 



enactment, was equivalent to 640,000 squirrels. Tins circum- 

 stance alone will prove the amazing numbers of these active little 

 animals. Even at the present time they are quite abundant in 

 the less-cultivated districts of Pennsylvania ; and it is no uncommon 

 thing for a shooter to bring home a dozen or so, the result of a 

 day's ramble through the dense forests. 



THEIR MIGRATIONS. 



During some seasons, in particular localities, squirrels, more 

 especially the Sciurus migratorius, appear to be seized with an 

 extraordinary desire to ramble or migrate from one section of 

 country to another. Speaking of this peculiarity on the part of 

 this species, Audubon remarks: "It is stimulated either by 

 scarcity of food, or by some other inexplicable instinct, to leave 

 its native haunts, and seek for adventures or for food in some, to 

 it, unexplored portion of our land." 



At such times they collect together in multitudes and move off 

 in immense droves ; nothing can stop them in their onward 

 progress, and they never hesitate to swim the widest rivers which 

 intercept their march. Great numbers are necessarily drowned in 

 these bold undertakings, as well as destroyed by their enemies. 



The circumstance of squirrels crossing rivers during their 

 migration proves the indomitable energy of character that these 

 active little creatures possess, as they are not at all partial to 

 water in any form, and always keep within-doors during a storm ; 

 and, if they should accidentally wet or even soil their feet, they 

 immediately stop to dry them by passing them through their bushy 

 tails several times. 



Godman remarks on this subject: u While travelling through 

 the State of Ohio, in the autumn of 1822, we had an opportunity 

 of witnessing something of this sort. Parts of the country ap- 

 peared to swarm with squirrels, which were so numerous that, in 

 travelling along the highroad, they might be seen scampering in 

 every direction ; the woods and fields might be truly said, in the 

 country-phrase, to be ' alive with them.' A farmer who had a 



