452 THE STRIPED SQUIRREL, 



nate where they got In only one-third of their crop 

 of corn. 



" Some writers (says Mr. Weld) have asserted 

 that these animals cannot swim ; but that when they 

 come to a river, each one provides itself with a 

 piece of wood or bark, upon which, when a favour- 

 able wind offers, i\ embarks, spreads its bushy tail 

 to catch the wind, and is thus wafted over to the 

 opposite side. Whether they do or do not cross in 

 this manner sometimes, I cannot take upon me to 

 say ; but I can safely affirm that they do not always 

 cross so, as I have frequently shot them in the water 

 while swimming. No anim.als swim better ; and, 

 when pursued, I have seen them eagerly take to the 

 ivater» In swimming, their tail serves them by way 

 of rudder, and they use it with great dexterity ; ow- 

 ing to its being so light and bushy, the greater part 

 of it floats upon the water, and thus helps also to sup- 

 port them. Their migration in large numbers, is 

 'Baid to be an infallible si^n of a severe winter *." 



THE STRIPED SQUIRREL 'f. 



The length of the Striped Squirrel is about six 

 inches ; its tail, whicli is rather more, is not curved 

 and bushy, but long and very narrow. The skin is 

 of a reddish brown ; and is marked with five black 



t Synonyms. — Sciurus Striatus. Ijinn. — Striped Dormouse. Pcini. 

 — Ground Squirrel. Ken: — Ecurcil Suisse. RiilVon. — Suisse Squirrci. 

 La Hontan. — ShnvSs Gai. Zoo!. jiL 118. — ZJtr. !2ua(/. S>(>. 



