62 
NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
Cheeks, and all beneath, white, separated along the flanks by a black line, which in some 
individuals is very indistinct: in specimens from high northern latitudes, it appears to be 
generally absent. Tail deep reddish brown above, with blackish hairs on the borders ; on 
the under side it is rufous in the middle, then black, and tipped with brown. 
Length of head and body,. 8'0. 
Ditto of tail (vertebra),.. 5'0. 
Ditto ditto, including fur,. 6‘5. 
This familiar and well known species is found from the Arctic circle to the mountainous 
ranges of North Carolina and Tennessee. We observed, in the northern part of the State, a 
remarkable variety, which presented the following appearance : The whole upper part of the 
head and body, with the exception of a large reddish spot on the left flank, was of a light 
ash grey; the reddish spot was separated front the while beneath, by a deep black border. 
Tail white, intermixed with a few dark hairs. 
The Red Squirrel is a noisy little animal, and its twittering note of chick-a-ree has suggested 
one of its popular names. It feeds on fir-cones, hickory and other nuts, and also on the seeds 
and buds of trees. In the northern counties, its greatest enemy is the Sable, and from him it 
requires all its well known agility to escape. It takes to the water readily, and, as we have 
noticed, swims tolerably well. It dives, too, in order to avoid a threatened blow. It feeds also 
upon wheat, rye and buckwheat; but its injuries to the farmer must be very limited. Its habits 
appear to be influenced by the climate ; for at the north it forms deep burrows in the earth, 
under the roots of trees, to protect itself from the cold; whilst in this State, it contents itself 
with occupying a hollow in a tree. Its flesh is juicy and tender, and is generally preferred, 
as an article of food, to the other species. Its geographical range is from the mountainous 
districts of North Carolina, to the sixty-eighth degree of north latitude. 
THE STRIPED SQUIRREL 
SCIURUS STRIATUS. 
PLATE XVI. FIG. 1.—(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Sciurus slriatus. LlN. 12th ed. p. 87. 
Striped Dormouse. Penn. Arct. Zool. Vol. 1, p. 126. 
Dos Schwartz Geslreichte Erd-Eichhom. Schreber, Vol. 2, p. 790. 
&. striatus. Harlan, p. 183. Godman, Vol. 2, p. 142, figure. 
jS. americanus. Kuhl. 
S. (Tamias) lysteri. Richardson, F. B. A. p. 181, pi. 15. 
The Striped Squirrel. Emmons, Mass. Report, 1840, p. 68. 
Characteristics. Reddish brown ; a black dorsal stripe, and a shorter light-colored lateral stripe 
bordered with black. 
Description. Body shorter and more robust for its size, than in the preceding species. Head 
slightly rounded towards the nose. Ears ovate, rounded ; the hair slightly exceeding the mar- 
