A94 THE GROUND SQUIRREL, OR HACKEE. 
a fierce creature when captured, biting savagely at its opponent, and is not very easily tamed. 
Qne of these animals which was partially domesticated, was always noted for, its evil temper, 
and justified the opinion that had been formed of its disposition by biting a piece from a 
servant’s hand as cleanly as if it had been cut with a chisel. The injury was of so severe a 
nature that the man was obliged to go into a hospital for some weeks. 
When undisturbed in its native domains, it appears to be an active and lively animal, and 
is remarkable for a curious habit of suddenly ceasing its play and running to the water side to 
refresh itself before it reeommences its sport. In drinking it does not lap after the manner of 
dogs and cats, but bends over the water, and thrusting its nose fairly beneath the surface, 
drinks a steady draught. After it has satisfied its thirst, it sits on its hind legs, and with its 
fore-feet carefully washes its face, occasionally dipping its paws into the water, as if to 
perform its ablutions in the most effectual manner. 
The skin of the Black Squirrel is rather valuable, as it not only possesses the uniform 
jetty hue which is so universally admired in ornamental furs, but is also peculiarly smooth 
and glossy. As is generally the ease with dark coated animals, the hairs are lighter towards 
the base, and partake of a slaty-blue tint. 
Aut the preceding examples of the Squirrel tribe are remarkable for their extreme agility 
in climbing trees, traversing the branches, and making extraordinary leaps from one bough to 
another or from some elevated spot to the earth. The Ground Squirrels, however, are intended 
to abide on the earth, and are seldom known to ascend trees of any great height. As they 
possess cheek-pouches, they are placed in a separate genus, under the name of Tamias, which 
is a Greek word, signifying a storekeeper, and are separate from the true Squirrels, which are 
not furnished with those appendages. : 
The Hacker, or CHIPPING SQUIRREL, as it is sometimes termed, is one of the most 
familiar of North American quadrupeds, and is found in great numbers in almost every 
locality. It is a truly beautiful little creature, and deserving of notice both on account of the 
dainty elegance of its form, and the pleasing tints with which its coat is decked. The general 
color of the Hackee is a brownish-gray on the back, warming into orange-brown on the fore- 
head and the hinder quarters. Upon the back and sides are drawn five iongitudinal black 
stripes and two streaks of yellowish-white, so that it is a most conspicuous little creature, and 
by these peculiar stripes may easily be distinguished from any other animal. The abdomen 
and throat are white. It is slightly variable in color according to the locality in which it 
exists, and has been known to be so capricious of hue as to furnish specimens of pure white 
and jet black. Asa fur it is extremely elegant, and if it were not quite so common would long 
since have taken nearly as high a rank as the sable or ermine. 
The length of the Hackee is about eleven inches, the tail being about four inches and a 
half in length. It is, however, slightly variable in dimensions as well as in color. 
The Hackee is one of the liveliest and briskest of quadrupeds, and by reason of its quick 
and rapid movements, has not inaptly been compared to the wren. It is chiefly seen among 
brushwood and small timber; and as it whisks about the branches, or shoots through their 
interstices with its peculiar, quick, jerking movements, and its odd, quaint, little clucking cry, 
like the chip-chipping of newly-hatched chickens, the analogy between itself and the bird is 
very apparent. As it is found in such plenty, and is a bold little creature, it is much perse- 
cuted by small boys, who, although they are not big or wise enough to be entrusted with 
guns, wherewith to work the destruction of larger game, arm themselves with long sticks, 
and by dexterous management knock down many a Hackee as it tries to escape from its pur- 
suers by running along the rail fences. Among boys the popular name of the Hackee is the 
“¢Chipmuck.”’ 
It is a burrowing animal, making its little tunnels in various retired spots, but generally 
preferring an old tree, or the earth which is sheltered by a wall, a fence, or a bank. The 
burrows are rather complicated, and as they run to some length, the task of digging the animal 
out of its retreat is no easy one. In the work of Messrs. Audubon and Bachman is given the 
following spirited narrative of an attack upon the home of some unfortunate Hackees. ‘‘ This 
