THE AMERICAN FLYING SQUIKREL. 4Ci5 



during that season they keep within their holes. On 

 a fine clear day, however, they sometimes come out. 

 — They frequently dig through into cellars, where 

 the country people lay up their apples ; these they 

 often eat or spoil in such a manner that few or none 

 of any value are left. — In the choice of their food 

 they are remarkahly nice ; having been observed, 

 after filling tlieir pouches with rye, to fling it out 

 on meeting with wheat, and to substitute for it th^ 

 superior grain *. 



They are not to be tamed without great difficulty ; 

 and even then it is always dangerous to handle them, 

 as they will bite pretty keenly when a person is not 

 aware of them. 



They are caught merely on account of their skins; 

 which, though forming but a slight or ordinary fur, 

 have a very pleasing appearance when properly set 

 off. These are said to be chiefly sold to the Chinese. 



The AMERICAN Flying squikrel-I-. 



This animal, which is a native of most parts of 

 North Air.ericii, has large black eyes, circular naked 

 ears, and a hairy membrane extending nearly round 

 the body* The tail, which tapers to a point, has 

 its hairs disposed flatways on its sides. The upper 

 parrs of the body are of a cinereous brown : the belly 

 is white, tinged with yellow. The membrane passes 



* I'cnn. Arct. Zoot.i. 127- 

 t S YNONYMS. — Sciurus V^)lucclla. Li/in. — Flying Sqiiinel. Cafesh^ , 

 — Q.uiiiiicli['atlan. Fernaml. — Polatouchc. Bujj'on. — American Hy- 

 ing ^■lui^I■eI. Sliati'. 



VoL.[. H h 



