OCCASIONAL NOTES. 207 
accidentally or otherwise, whence the current carried it opposite to an easy 
landing-place on the right bank.—Cxcrt Duncomss (‘ Nature,’ March 24). 
[Observers in the United States report a similar habit in the American 
Red Squirrel, Sciurus hudsonius. Mr. Frederick Hubbard, of New York, 
writes :—‘ Some years ago I was rowing on Lake George, in this State, 
when I observed one of these little animals in an open place, where from 
the course he was pursuing he must have swum nearly half a mile. He 
seemed almost exhausted, and when I held my oar towards him he readily 
accepted the invitation to come on board, ran up the oar, and then to my 
surprise ran up my arm and ascended to my shoulder! I do not know 
whether he simply followed his climbing instincts, or whether he sought an 
elevated point to get an observation. However this may have been, after a 
short pause he descended and took his station in the bow of the boat, from 
which in a few minutes he plunged into the lake and struck out for land. 
He evidently miscalculated his remaining powers, for he was unequal to the 
effort, and soon gladly availed himself of a second opportunity of gaining a 
place of refuge. He now sat quietly while I rowed him towards the land, 
evidently satisfied that he was in friendly hands, and that his wisest plan 
was to remain as a passenger. When close to the shore he made a flying- 
leap and scampered for the trees, doubtless grateful in his little heart for 
the kindness that had helped him over the critical part of his voyage. 
This was near the narrows of the lake, where it is about one mile in width, 
with groups of islands which shorten the traverses to less than a quarter of 
amile. My little friend, however, had not availed himself of the easier and 
more circuitous route, but had boldly undertaken a directer course and a 
longer swim, which, but for the timely rescue, would very likely have been 
his last aquatic attempt.” Another correspondent writes: —“ While camping 
for two summers recently in the wilderness of northern New York, I was 
much surprised at frequently seeing Squirrels crossing the ponds and lakes 
of the region. We would sometimes find several of these strange navigators 
in the course of an afternoon’s row. They were seen most abundantly 
during the early part of July; indeed, later in the season, they were but 
rarely found. During many summers of camping elsewhere I have never 
seen them take to the water. It has occurred to me that the explanation 
of this peculiarity (if it be such) of the Squirrels of this locality may be found 
in the nature of the region visited; for we fiud there a most intricate water- 
system, the whole region being dotted with ponds and lakes connected by 
small streams. The necessity of taking to the water at times has perhaps 
enabled the Squirrels to overcome their aversion to this element, and they 
have thus become semi-aquatic in their habits."— Ep. | 
Piscivonvus Hasits or 1He Water Surew.— My nephew and his 
pupil were recently strolling by the small stream which runs through his 
