MAMMALIA— SQUIRREL. 249 



nuts during the summer, which it deposits in the hollow part of some old 

 tree, and to these has recourse for provision in winter; and such is the 

 agility of its body, that it will, in an instant, climb a beach tree, let its bark 

 be ever so smooth. 



THE AMERICAN GRAY SQUIRRELi 



Is remarkable for its beauty and activity, and is common throughout the 

 United States. It is generally found in hickory and chesnut woods, where 

 it feeds on nuts, and lays up a hoard for the winter. They construct their 

 nests with care on the tops of tall trees, and seldom leave them during the 

 cold weather. They do a great deal of mischief in the corn fields, by 

 destroying and carrying off a great quantity of corn. They are very easily 

 domesticated, and in captivity are very playful and mischievous. The gray 

 squirrel is commonly of a fine bluish gray, mingled with a golden color. 



AMERICAN FLYING SQUIRREL. 2 



The common flying squirrel is very abundant in the United States, and is 

 much admired for the softness of its fur, and the gentleness of its disposi- 

 tion. The skin of the sides is extended from the fore to the hind limbs, so 

 as to form, a sort of sail, which enables it to descend swiftly from a great 

 height, in the easiest and most pleasant manner, often passing over a con- 

 siderable space. This squirrel is small, of an ash color above, and 

 white beneath, with large, prominent black eyes. It builds its nest in 

 hollow trees. 



' Sdurus cinercus, Desm. 



- Pteromys volucdla, Desm. The genus Pteromys has two upper and two lower inci- 

 sors ; no canines ; ten upper and eigHt lower molars ; head round ; ears rounded ; eyes 

 large ; fore feet with four elongated toes, with compressed sharp claws and the rudi- 

 ment of a thumb ; hind feet with five toes much divided; tail long, hairy, sometimes 

 distichous; skin of the sides extended, forming a kind of parachute. 



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