97 



winter, it is however not quite so intensely black. In all the speci- 

 mens I have had an opportunity of examining, there are small tufts 

 of white hairs irregularly situated on the under surface, resembling 

 those on the body of the Mink (Mustela vison). There are also 

 a few scattered white hairs on the back and tail. 



Dimensions. in. lin. 



Length of head and body 13 



Tail (vertebrae) 9 1 



Tail including the fur 13 



Palm to end of middle fore-claw 1 7 



Length of heel to the point of middle claw 2 7 



Length of fur on the back 8 



Breadth of tail with hair extended 5 



" The specimens from which this description has been taken were 

 procured, through the kindness of friends, in the counties of Rens- 

 sellaer and Queens, New York. I have seen it on the borders of 

 Lake Champlain, at Ogdensburg, and on the eastern shores of Lake 

 Erie ; also near Niagara on the Canada side. The individual de- 

 scribed by Dr. Richardson, and which may be clearly referred to 

 this species, was obtained by Capt. Bayfield at Fort William, on 

 Lake Superior. Black squirrels exist through all our western wilds, 

 and to the northward of the great lakes, but whether they are of 

 this species, or of the black variety of the Gray Squirrel, I have not 

 had the means of deciding." 



Dr. Bachman had for several successive summers an opportunity 

 of studying the habits of this species in the northern parts of the 

 United States. It seems to prefer valleys and swamps to dryer and 

 more elevated situations, and to possess all the sprightliness of the 

 Northern Gray Squirrel. A colony of them had taken up their 

 abode by the side of a retired rivulet, where they were closely and 

 frequently watched by Dr. Bachman. He remarked that when 

 drinking they did not lap, but protruded the mouth a considerable 

 way under the surface of the water : supported upon the tail and 

 tarsi, they would remain for a quarter of an hour wiping their faces 

 with their paws ; when alarmed, their favourite place of retreat was a 

 large white pine tree, (Pinus strobus) : their bark and general habits 

 did not differ much from those of the Northern Gray Squirrel. 



SciURUs AuDUBONi. Larger Louisiana Black Squirrel. 



Sciurus corpore suprH nigro, subtds fuscescente ; caudd corpus 

 longitudine aquante. 



A new species, for which Dr. Bachman is indebted to Mr. Audu- 

 bon. It has the fur very harsh to the touch, and is rather less in 

 size than the Sciurus niger. 



Sciurus fuliginosus. Sooty Squirrel. 



Sciurus corpore suprcL nigro et fuscescenti-flavo irrorato, subttis 

 fuscescente ; caudd corpore valdk longiorc : denies inc. \, 

 mol. f^. 



