NORTHERN GRAY SQUIRREL. 



267 



with the gray variety- from the same nest. Both varieties breed and rear 

 their young together. 



The black ones are of the same size and form as the gray ; they are 

 dark brownish-black on the whole upper surface, a little lighter be- 

 neath. In summer their colour is less black than in winter. The hairs 

 of the back and sides of the body, and of the tail are obscurely annulated 

 with yellow. There is here and there a white hair interspersed among 

 the fur of the body, but no tuft of white as in Sciui-us niger. 



DIMENSIONS. 



A Female in summer. 



Length of head and body 

 " tail (vertebrEe) 



" tail, to the tip 



Height of ear 



Palm to the end of middle claw 

 Heel to the end of middle nail 

 Length of fur on the back 

 Breadth of tail with hairs extended 



An old Male in w^inter pelage, obtained Dec 

 Length of head and body 

 " tail (vertebrae) 



" tail, to end of hair 



Height of ear 



" ear, to end of fur 



Heel to end of longest nail 

 Length of fur on the back 



Weight 1 lb. 6 oz 



16th 



Inches. 



Lines 



11 



9 



10 







13 











7 



1 



10 



2 



6 







5 



4 



2 



12 



6 



11 







14 











7 







9 



2 



6 







8 



This appears to be the most active and sprightly species of squirrel 

 existing in our Atlantic States. It sallies forth with the sun, and is 

 industriously engaged in search of food for four or five hours in the 

 morning, scratching among leaves, running over fallen logs, ascending 

 trees, or playfully skipping from bough to bough, often making almost 

 incredible leaps from the higher branches of one tree to another. In the 

 middle of the day it retires for a few hours to its nest, resuming its active 

 labours and amusements in the afternoon, and continuing them without 

 intermission till long after the setting of the sun. During the warm 



