FAMILY SCIURIDiE. 
61 
specific phrase. Brisson (Reg. An. Vol. 1, p. 105) refers to the same plate, which he pro¬ 
nounces excellent. Pennant (Arct. Zool. Yol. 1, p. 119) adopts the same course, considering 
it as «S. niger. In this he is copied by Erxleben (p. 417), and by Schreber (Saugth. Vol. 
2, p. 776), which latter reproduces Catesby’s figure. The dark brown or black variety of 
the Little Grey Squirrel has also been described as the niger; and from these various sources, 
so much confusion has arisen, that Cuvier, in the first edition of his Regne Animal, supposes 
the black and little grey squirrels to be varieties of capistratus. In the second edition, he is 
silent on the subject, and his American editor supposes the black squirrel to be a variety of 
the grey. In the catalogue at the end of the volume, which is understood to have been fur¬ 
nished by Major Le Conte, the Black Squirrel, as a species, is suppressed. Harlan, Godman 
and Richardson, have very properly restored it .to its place in the systems. Precise technical 
naturalists may, however, deem it proper to restore the name of niger to capistratus, and give 
the present species a new name. They are, however, now so firmly established and gene¬ 
rally known, that little would be gained by the change. It appears to be well authenticated 
that it disappears before the little grey squirrel. We have been assured by many credible 
persons, that in certain districts where formerly none but black squirrels were seen, their 
place is now almost exclusively occupied by the grey squirrel. 
This species appears to have but a limited latitudinal range. It is found throughout the 
western counties of the State. Few are found south of Pennsylvania. Westwardly its dis¬ 
tribution has not been ascertained. Habits the same as the preceding. 
THE RED SQUIRREL. 
SCIURDS HUDSONICUS. 
PLATE XVII. FIG 2. —(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Hudson's Bay Squirrel. Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 1, p. 116. Id. Hist. Quadr. Vol. 2, p. 147. 
Sciurus hudsonicus , Var. e, vulgaris. Erxleben, p. 416. 
Red Squirrel. Warden, Hist. U. S. Vol. 1, p. 330. 
Red Barking Squirrel. Schoolcraft, Journal, p. 273. 
S. hudsonicus. Harlan, p. 185. Godman, Vol. 2, p. 138, figure. 
The Chickaree. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 1, p. 187, pi. 17. Bachman, Mag. Nat. Hist. 1839, p. 383. 
Common Red Squirrel, Emmons, Mass. Report, 1840, p. 67. 
Characteristics. Reddish above, white beneath. Ears slightly tufted. Tail shorter than the 
body. 
Description. Forehead rounded. Whiskers numerous, black, longer than the head. Ears 
short, broad and rounded ; furnished with long hairs projecting beyond the margin, but rarely, 
if ever, distinctly tufted. Legs robust; fore feet with the rudiment of a thumb nail. All the 
claws sharp, compressed, and much incurved. Teeth as in the other squirrels; that is to 
say, ten molars above, the deciduous molar falling very early. Tail not as long as the head 
and body, not very bushy, and somewhat distichous. 
Color. Above deep reddish brown, with scattering darker hairs; dark grey at base. 
