THE BLACK SQUIRREL. 



493 



Abert's Squirrel {Sciurus aberti) is found, in Arizona and Colorado. It is peculiar in 

 having in winter long tufts of hair on the ear-tips. The ears are very large. Like other 

 species, it is subject to the albinistic influence ; and the black varieties are often found. Eight 

 other species are found in the warmer portions of America. 



The genus Tamias embraces a group of pretty squirrels, a notable member of which is the 

 familiar Chipmuck, or Striped Squirrel {Tamias striatus). Their forms resemble the Sper- 

 mophiles, the next succeeding group. Four species are known, three of them being confined 

 to North America. The fourth species is found in the northern portions of both continents. 

 No other animal is more familiar to the country side than this cheery little Chipmuck, Chip- 

 ping, or Ground Squirrel, as it is variously termed. Hackee is another name, known more in 

 the Middle States. Old stone walls seem to be the favorite resort of this little creature, and 

 every country boy finds such localities certain to yield ready game to his box-trap. Its habi- 



BLACK SQUIRREL- Sciurus niger. 



tat is from Minnesota to the Atlantic, and from Canada to Georgia. It is not found in the 

 alluvial districts of Carolina, nor in Florida. 



The Northern Chipmuck (T. borealis) is found equally abundant in Northeastern Europe, 

 Northern Asia, and Northwestern America, southwards nearly to the United States. Several 

 varieties are known in the Western plains and the Rocky Mountain Range. 



Harris's Chipmuck is a New Mexican and Californian species. It is peculiar in being an 

 inhabitant of the desert, instead of the woodland. 



Another species is named for the naturalist Say — being first described by him in 1823 — 

 from specimens sent from the Arkansas River. Its habits resemble closely those of the East- 

 ern form. 



The Black Squirrel has most appropriately been named, for the whole of its fur, with 

 very slight and variable exceptions, is dyed with the deepest jet. 



Even the abdomen and under parts of the body, which in almost all quadrupeds are of a 

 lighter hue than the back, are in the Black Squirrel of the same sable tinge, with the exception 

 of a few small tufts of white hairs which are scattered at wide and irregular intervals. A few 

 single white hairs are also sown sparingly upon the back, but are so few in number as to 

 escape a mere casual glance. The tail is also slightly flecked with these white hairs. The 

 total length of this animal is about two feet ten inches, the tail being about thirteen inches 

 in length, measured to extremity of the fur. "When the creature spreads its tail to its full 

 width, it measures nearly five inches in diameter in the largest part. 



The Black Squirrel is a native of many parts of Northern America, and is tolerably com- 

 mon in some localities, though very scarce in others. It is a curious fact, that it vanishes 

 before the advent of the common northern Gray Squirrel, and in many instances has been 

 driven from some of its private haunts and supplanted by the more powerful intruder. It 

 seems to be rather a timid animal, as it has been observed to fly in terror when threatened 

 with the anger of the Red Squirrel {Sciurus hudsonius). Despite its cowardice, it is rather 



