Feb., 191 2. Mammals of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 113 



two ; and I have several times observed individuals to appear in a grove 

 of young oaks, build a nest, remain a few days, and then disappear, 

 perhaps to return again in a week and build other nests. 



''The fox-squirrel loves to take up his abode in a hollow tree which 

 stands out alone at a little distance from the surrounding timber, as if 

 desirous of having a clear view of all going on around him. When he 

 once becomes domiciled in a tree, he does not leave it, unless disturbed, 

 pairs being observed to inhabit the same tree for five or six successive 

 years. It is less prolific than either the migratory or Carolina squirrel. 

 From two to four young are usually brought forth at a birth, the most 

 common being three; but in one instance I have seen five. Two 

 litters are probably produced each season. So far as has been observed, 

 they are always brought forth in the hole, the nest of leaves being used 

 only as summer-houses. Like the young of most rodents, they are 

 ugly, uns3nTimetrical little beings, at first, with monstrous heads and 

 closed eyes ; and it is some time before they acquire the elegant propor- 

 tions and agile movements of their parents. 



"These squirrels sometimes leave their holes for food and even for 

 amusement, in very cold and rainy weather, when they are found mov- 

 ing about much more than the migratory species. But, though active 

 at this time and apparently engaged in play, they do not now 'bark' 

 as on warm and pleasant days." (/. c, pp. 56-59, 61.) 



Regarding the Fox Squirrel's habit of burying nuts in the ground, 

 Mr. E. T. Seton writes, "On the first of August, 1903, I watched 

 for an hour the Fox-squirrels of City Park, Madison, Wis. A large 

 male that seemed master of those near came forward as I offered him 

 some peanuts. The first three he ate, the rest he buried. His pro- 

 cedure was the same each time; seizing the nut in his teeth, then in 

 his paws, he turned it two or three times in his mouth and appeared to 

 be licking it." (Life Histories of Northern Animals, I, 1909, p. 325.) 



Specimens examined from Illinois, Wisconsin and adjoining states: 

 Illinois — Wausaw, Hancock Co., i; Lake Forest, Lake Co., 2; Fox 



Lake, Lake Co., i; Genesee, 1 = 5. 

 Wisconsin — Camp Douglas, Juneau Co., i; Milton, i; Beaver Dam, 



Dodge Co., 6; Delavan, i; (M. P. M.) Wauwatosa, i; Horicon, i; 



Reeseville, i; Milton, i; Rock Co., i; Rochester, Racine Co., 33; 



Saukville, i; North Lake, Waukesha Co., i; Honey Creek, Racine 



Co., i; Brookville, i; Wyalusing, Grant Co., 1 = 52. 

 Minnesota — Fillmore Co., i. 

 Iowa — Knoxville, 5. 

 Indiana — Evansville, i. 



