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SCIURUS CAROLINENSIS. LEUCOTIS, (Gapeme) ey 
THE NORTHERN GRAY SQUIRREL AND BLACK SQUIRREL. 
Specific Character.—Above grizzled light yellowish gray ; ; Roncath pure Ee 
white. A yellowish brown dash of greater or less extent on the back. and sepa- _ 
rating the colours of the belly and sides. Back of ears and adjacent region of 
occiput usually with a white wooly tuft. ps . 
Habitat—Eastern United States, often seen in Ontario in company with the 
black variety. 4 
Average Size.—Equal to that of a very large rat. 
Average Wewht.—1 to 2 pounds, 
Average Height.—4 inches. 
Average Length.—18 inches; nose to tail, 10 inches ; tail, 8 inches. 
Value of Fur.—Valueless. a 
These squirrels are hunted by sportsmen, being considered by many a great 
delicacy for the table. The gray and black var ieties are in every respect alike — 
except in colour. The black squirrel is supposed by some naturalists to be merely 
a melanotic variety of the gray squirrel. Some of the habits of this animal are — * 
very strange, migrations for instance, occasionally taking place, when they march — 
in thousands in one direction being stopped by nothing, even large rivers or bodies — 
of water are passed, and the journey proceeded with. Naturalists do not give 
any very satisfactory reason for these migrations. Some say it is on account of 
the searity of food, but such is not always the case. 
The gray and black squirrel generally breed twice or three times during the 
warm season of the year, having from three to six at a litter. The nest is nearly 
always in a hole in a hollow tree, 
Their food consists of nuts, buds of trees, and grain. 
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Generally speaking the squirrel is abundant in Ontario, and the four varieties 
mentioned before are well known. | 
The little animal is shot principally for the pot, its skin being of no value ‘3 
whatever. 
It isa beautiful object of nature, and it is to be regretted for this reason 
that it is so seldom spared. 
The squirrel feeds early in the morning, and subsists on fruit, grain, nuts, ane 
young shoots. Immediately its meal is over the little animal returns to rest, res 9 
appearing in the afternoon to play and chatter. until twilight. a 
The squirrel has no cheek pouches, although it is ignorantly supposed to be 
furnished with them. a 
It isa hibernating animal, and lays up its store of food in the fall of the | 4 
ear. 
4 It is naturally extremely shy, and will take alarm at the slightest noise ; but — 
if the hunter knows enough to remain still, the squirrel will return almost i im- 
mediately, and thus often falls a victim to its own curiosity. = 
The squirrel breeds twice or three times during the spring and summer, and 
the female produces several young at a litter. 
The young mature in August and September, and are in best condition for — 
shooting late in fall and winter. 
The squirrel is easily tamed and is a common pet. 
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