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20 
wooded bluffs and the groves—which are the commonest habitat of 
the fox-squirrel. Nevertheless,it is the gray rather than the fox- 
squirrel that is most often semi-domesticated in the parks of cities 
and the shady streets of towns. A general opinion of both squirrel 
hunters and other observers of more scientific pretensions seems to 
be that the gray squirrel, though smaller than the fox-squirrel, drives 
that species away from such territory as it chooses to occupy itself. 
Originally this species, hke the fox-squirrel, was exceedingly abun- 
dant, and at times inflicted great injury on the crops of the farmer. 
At present, in this part of the country gray squirrels in a truly wild 
state are very uncommon. In fact, I have no record of one’s being 
seen in the county for a number of years, though there are a few in 
the adjoining counties. This can hardly be due alone to the thin- 
ning of the thick woods. It seems more likely that their gregarious 
habit has been with them, as with so many other animals, a reason 
for their rapid destruction by man. The gray squirrel is said to be 
more prolific than the fox-squirrel, four to six being brought forth in 
one litter, and at least two litters being produced ina year. I have 
no proof of more than a single hitter. 
The most interesting characteristic of these squirrels is the 
readiness with which they become wonted to parks and the shaded 
streets of villages where they are not molested. They soon become 
exceedingly tame, often so much so as to feed from the hand of a 
stranger, and to enter houses by open windows, even venturing 
into rooms occupied by persons. They store up, under these cir- 
cumstances at least, a supply of nuts or other food. Considerable 
quantities are often found hidden by them in garrets and outbuild- 
ings; but they also hide single nuts, etc., under leaves or in the 
eround, and during the winter may be seen looking for them. 
Although they may be seen at any time during the winter if the 
weather is fine, yet in continued severe weather they do not appear, 
and presumably are partly torpid and fasting. 
The early observers nearly all speak of the extensive migrations 
of the species in various sections of the country. These migrations 
usually occurred in the fall. Large numbers would congregate in a 
locahty and then move off in one direction—not indeed in a con- 
tinuous flock, but rather as individuals, stopping to feed or loiter 
for some time in a place, but yet moving soon, and always in the one 
general direction. In these migrations they seemed to be possessed 
