FAMILY SCIXmiD^. 61 



specific phrase. Brisson (Rug. An. Vol. 1, p. 105) refers to the same plate, which he pro- 

 nounces excellent. Pennant (Arct. Zool. Vol. 1, p. 119) adopts the same course, considering 

 it as S. niger. In this he is copied by Er.Yleben (p. 417), and by Schreber (Saugth. Vol. 

 2, p. 776), which latter reproduces Catesby's figure. The dark brown or black variety of 

 the Little Grey Squirrel has also been described as the niger ; and from these various sources, 

 so much confusion has arisen, that Cuvier, in the first edition of his Rigric Atmnal, supposes 

 the black and little grey squirrels to be varieties of capistratus. In the second edition, he is 

 silent on the subject, and his American editor supposes the black squirrel to be a variety of 

 the grey. In the catalogue at the end of the volume, which is understood to have been fur- 

 nished by Major Le Conte, the Black Squirrel, as a species, is suppressed. Harlan, Godman 

 and Richardson, have very properly restored it to its place in the systems. Precise technical 

 naturalists may, however, deem it proper to restore the name of niger to capistratus, and give 

 the present species a new name. They are, however, now so firmly established and gene- 

 rally known, that little would be gained by the change. It appears to be well authenticated 

 that it disappears before the little grey squirrel. We have been assured by many credible 

 persons, that in certain districts where formerly none but black squirrels were seen, their 

 place is now almost exclusively occupied by the grey squirrel. 



This species appears to have but a limited latitudinal range. It is found throughout the 

 western counties of the State. Few are found south of Pennsylvania. Westwardly its dis- 

 tribution has not been ascertained. Habits the same as the preceding. 



THE RED SQUIRREL. 



SCICRUS HCDSONICCS. 



PLATE XVIl. FIG 2.— (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Hudson's Bay Squirrel. PENNANT, Arct. Zool. Vol. 1, p. 116. Id. Hist. Quadr. Vol. 2, p. 147. 



Sciitnts hudsonicus, Var. e, vulgaris. Erxlebek, p. 416. 



Red Squirrel. Warden, Hist. U. S. Vol. 1, p. 330. 



Red Barking Squirrel. SCHOOLCRAFT, Journal, p. 273. 



■S. hudsonius. Harlan, p. 185. Godman, Vol. 2, p. 138, figure. 



The Chicharee. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 1, p. 187, pi. 17. Bachman, Mag. Nat. Hist. 1839, p. 383. 



Commote Red Squirrel. Emmons, Mass. Report, 1840, p. 67. 



Characteristics. Reddish above, white beneath. Ears slightly tufted. Tail shorter than the 

 body. 



Description. Forehead rounded. Whiskers numerous, black, longer than the head. Ears 

 short, broad and rounded ; furnished with long hairs projecting beyond the margin, but rarely, 

 if ever, distinctly tufted. • Legs robust ; fore feet with the rudiment of a thumb nail. All the 

 - claws sharp, compressed, and much incurved. Teeth as in the other squirrels ; that is to 

 say, ten molars above, the deciduous molar falling very early. Tail not as long as the head 

 and body, not very bush)% and somewhat distichous. 



Color. Above deep reddish brown, with scattering darker hairs ; dark grey at base. 



