148 CAT-SQUIRREL. 



branch. We have seldom observed it leaping from bough to bongh. 

 When it is induced, in search of food, to proceed to the extremit)- of a 

 branch, it moves cautiously and heavily, and generally returns the same 

 Ava)r. On the ground it runs clumsily, and makes slower progress than 

 the gray squirrel. It is usually fat, especially in autumn, and the flesh is 

 said to be preferable to that of any of our other species of squirrel. The 

 Cat-Squirrel does not appear to be migratory in its habits. The same 

 pair, if undisturbed, may be found in a particular vicinity for a number 

 of years in succession, and the sexes seem paired for life. 



William Batrd, Esq., of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, says of this species — 

 " The Fox-Squirrel as this species is called ^vith us, will never, unless al- 

 most in the very jaws of a dog, ascend any other tree than that which 

 contains its nest, differing very greatly in this respect from our gray 

 squirrel." 



The nest, which we have only seen on two occasions, was constructed 

 of sticks and leaves, in the crotch of a tree about twenty fjet from the 

 ground, and in both cases the pair had a safer retreat in a hollow of 

 the same tree above. 



This species is said to have j'otmg but once a year. We have no posi- 

 tive evidence to the contrary, but suspect that it will hereafter be dis- 

 covered that it produces a second litter in the summer, or toward 

 autumn. 



On taking some of them from the nest, we found on one occasion three, 

 and on another four, young. These nests were placed in the hollows of 

 oak trees. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



The Cat-Squirrel, is rather a rare species, but is not very uncommon in 

 the oak and hickory woods of Pennsylvania, we have seen it near Easton 

 and York ; it is found occasionally in Maryland and Virginia, and is met 

 with on Long Island, and in some other portions of the State of New 

 York, but in the northern parts of that State, is exceedingly rare, as we 

 only saw two pair during fifteen years' close observation. At certain 

 seasons, we have found these squirrels tolerably abundant in the markets 

 of the city of New York, and have ascertained that persons who had 

 them for sale were aware of their superior value, as we were frequently 

 charged 37i cents for one, whilst the common gray squirrel could easily 

 be purchased for 12i cents. The south-eastern portion of New Jersey 

 seems to be well suited to them. This species is rarely found in Massa- 

 chusetts, and one we received from the north-western part of that State, 

 was there regarded as a great curiosity. 



