CAT-SQUIRREL. 



147 



are invariably of a reddish-colour — this is strikingly perceptible after the 

 flesh is cooked. 



We have represented in the plate three of these Squirrels, all of dif- 

 ferent colours, but the varieties of tint to be observed in different speci- 

 mens of the Cat-Squirrel, are so great, that among fifty or more perhaps, 

 we never could find two exactly alike; for which reason we selected for 

 our drawing an orange-coloured one, a gray one, and one nearly black. 



DIMENSIONS. 



An old male. — ^Recent. 



From nose to root of tail ...... 



Length of tail, (vertebras) 



do. of tail, to end of hair 



do. from fore-claws to hind-claws, stretched out 

 Weight, 1 lb. 13 oz. 



Female specimen sent to us, by Mr. Baird, of Pennsylvania. 

 Length of body 



do. of tail, from root to end of vertebras 



do. of tail, " to end of hair ... 



do. to end of hind-legs ------ 



Extent of fore-legs .-.--.. 



Hind-foot - 



Fore-foot - ......-- 



Height of ear, anteriorly ...--. 



do. of " posteriorly 



do. of " laterally, (inside,) - - - - - 



Nose to occiput 



Breadth of ear - 



do. of tail .....--. 

 Weight, 2 lb. 5 oz. 



Incbei 



124 



74 



11* 



181 



13 

 11 

 14 

 19 

 13i 

 3 



TT 

 1 



^1 



3 



u 



5t't 



HABITS. 



This Squirrel has many habits in common with other species, residing 

 in the hollows of trees, bmlding in summer its nest of leaves, in some 

 convenient fork of a tree, and subsisting on the same kinds of food. It is, 

 however, the most inactive of all our known species ; it climbs a tree, 

 not with the lightness and agility of the northern gray squirrel, but with 

 the slowness and apparent reluctance of the little striped squirrel, {Tamias 

 Lysteri.) After ascending, it does not immediately mount to the top, as is 

 the case with other species, but clings to the body of the tree, on the side 

 opposite to you, or tries to conceal itself behind the first convenient 



