THE SQUIRREL. 339 



LOCALITY, 



This species is the common Gray Squirrel of the North ; it is 

 found in considerable abundance throughout the wild districts 

 of the Eastern States, and is very numerous in the mountainous 

 regions of Pennsylvania, but does not exist further South than 

 the Northern counties of Virginia. 



HABITS. 



The Gray Squirrel has few characteristics different from the 

 whole genus, as before described. 



They are much sought after as pets by our youth, as they 

 bear confinement with great good-humor, and soon become 

 quite reconciled to a captive's life. Although mild and gentle, 

 they are rather uncertain in their disposition, and will, at times, 

 bite their keepers very severely. This species was formerly so 

 abundant in the agricultural districts of Pennsylvania that they 

 committed great depredations by invading the grain-fields ; to 

 such an extent was this havoc carried during the period of the 

 early settlements, that an ancient law existed, offering a reward 

 of six cents for every Squirrel destroyed; and, in the year 

 1749, Audubon informs us that the bounty paid out of the 

 treasury, in consequence of this enactment, was equivalent to 

 640,000 Squirrels. This circumstance alone will prove the 

 amazing numbers of these active little animals. Even at the 

 present time they are quite abundant in the less cultivated dis- 

 tricts of Pennsylvania, and it is no uncommon thing for a 

 Shooter to bring home a dozen or so, the result of a day's ram- 

 ble 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 



