62 CAROLINA GRAY SQUIRREL. 



them, we do not hesitate to say that it was entirely destitute of any fa- 

 culty of the kind. 



After some hours' fruitless manoeuvring, the snake coiled itself up, near 

 the cup of water from which the bird drank. For two days the thrush 

 avoided the water ; on the third, having become very thirsty, it showed a 

 constant desire to approach the cup ; the snake waited for it to come 

 within reach, and in the course of the day struck at it two or three times, 

 the bird darted out of its way, however, and was not killed until the 

 next day. 



If, notwithstanding these facts, it is argued, that the mysterious and 

 inexplicable power oi fascination is possessed by the snake, because birds 

 have been seen to approach it, and with open wings and plaintive voice, 

 seemed to wait upon its appetite, we must be prepared to admit that the 

 same faculty is possessed by other animals. On a certain day, we saw 

 a mocking-bird, exhibiting every appearance, usually, according to de- 

 scriptions, witnessed vsrhen birds are under the influence of fascination. 

 It approached a hog, vi'hich was occupied in munching something at the 

 foot of a small cedar. The bird fluttered before the grunter mth open 

 wings, uttered a low and plaintive note, alighted on his back, and 

 finally began to peck at his snout. On examining into the cause of these 

 strange proceedings, we ascertained that the mocking-bird had a nest 

 in the tree, from which several of her younglings had fallen, which the 

 hog was eating ! Our friend, the late Dr. Wkight, of Troy, informed us 

 that he witnessed a nearly similar scene between a cat-bird and a 

 dog which had disturbed her brood, on which occasion the cat-bird 

 went through many of the movements generally ascribed to the effect of 

 fascination. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



We have received a specimen of this Squirrel, which was procured in 

 the market at New Orleans, where it is said to be exceedingly rare. 

 We have not traced it farther to the South. It is the most abundant spe- 

 cies in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. We have seen it in the 

 svsramps of North Carolina, but have no positive evidence that it extends 

 farther to the northward than that State. We have obtained it in Ala- 

 bama, and in Mississippi we are told it is found in the swamps. Nothing 

 has been heard of it west of the Mississippi river. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



This species was first described by Gmelin, and afterwards noticed and 



