494 THE GROUND SQUIRREL, OR HACKEE. 



a fierce creature when captured, biting savagely at its opponent, and is not very easily tamed. 

 One of these animals which was partially domesticated, was always noted for its evil temper, 

 and justified the opinion that had been formed of its disposition by biting a piece from a 

 servant's hand as cleanly as if it had been cut with a chisel. The injury was of so severe a 

 nature that the man was obliged to go into a hosjrital for some weeks. 



When undisturbed in its native domains, it appears to be an active and lively animal, and 

 is remarkable for a curious habit of suddenly ceasing its play and running to the water side to 

 refresh itself before it recommences its sport. In drinking it does not lap after the manner of 

 dogs and cats, but bends over the water, and thrusting its nose fairly beneath the surface, 

 drinks a steady draught. After it has satisfied its thirst, it sits on its hind legs, and with its 

 fore-feet carefully washes its face, occasionally dipping its paws into the water, as if to 

 perform its ablutions in the most effectual manner. 



The skin of the Black Squirrel is rather valuable, as it not only possesses the uniform 

 jetty hue which is so universally admired in ornamental furs, but is also peculiarly smooth 

 and glossy. As is generally the case with dark coated animals, the hairs are lighter towards 

 the base, and partake of a slaty -blue tint. 



All the preceding examples of the Squirrel tribe are remarkable for their extreme agility 

 in climbing trees, traversing the branches, and making extraordinary leaps from one bough to 

 another or from some elevated spot to the earth. The Ground Squirrels, however, are intended 

 to abide on the earth, and are seldom known to ascend trees of any great height. As they 

 possess cheek-pouches, they are placed in a separate genus, under the name of Tamias, which 

 is a Greek word, signifying a storekeeper, and are separate from the true Squirrels, which are 

 not furnished with those appendages. 



The Hackee, or Chipping Squirrel, as it is sometimes termed, is one of the most 

 familiar of North American quadrupeds, and is found in great numbers in almost every 

 locality. It is a truly beautiful little creature, and deserving of notice both on account of the 

 dainty elegance of its form, and the pleasing tints with which its coat is decked. The general 

 color of the Hackee is a brownish-gray on the back, warming into orange-brown on the fore- 

 head and the hinder quarters. Upon the back and sides are drawn five longitudinal black 

 stripes and two streaks of yellowish-white, so that it is a most conspicuous little creature, and 

 by these peculiar stripes may easily be distinguished from any other animal. The abdomen 

 and throat are white. It is slightly variable in color according to the locality in which it 

 exists, and has been known to be so capricious of hue as to furnish specimens of pure white 

 and jet black. As a fur it is extremely elegant, and if it were not quite so common would long 

 since have taken nearly as high a rank as the sable or ermine. 



The length of the Hackee is about eleven inches, the tail being about four inches and a 

 half in length. It is, however, slightly variable in dimensions as well as in color. 



The Hackee is one of the liveliest and briskest of quadrupeds, and by reason of its quick 

 and rapid movements, has not inaptly been compared to the wren. It is chiefly seen among 

 brushwood and small timber ; and as it whisks about the branches, or shoots through their 

 interstices with its peculiar, quick, jerking movements, and its odd, quaint, little clucking cry, 

 like the chip-chipping of newly-hatched chickens, the analogy between itself and the bird is 

 very apparent. As it is found in such plenty, and is a bold little creature, it is much perse- 

 cuted by small boys, who, although they are not big or wise enough to be entrusted with 

 guns, wherewith to work the destruction of larger game, arm themselves with long sticks, 

 and by dexterous management knock down many a Hackee as it tries to escape from its pur- 

 suers by running along the rail fences. Among boys the popular name of the Hackee is the 

 "Chipmuck." 



It is a burrowing animal, making its little tunnels in various retired spots, but generally 

 preferring an old tree, or the earth which is sheltered by a wall, a fence, or a bank. The 

 burrows are rather complicated, and as they run to some length, the task of digging the animal 

 out of its retreat is no easy one. In the work of Messrs. Audubon and Bachman is given the 

 following spirited narrative of an attack upon the home of some unfortunate Hackees. " This 



