KEY TO LAND MAMMALS OF NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA 85 



Genus Sciurus Linnaeus 



1758 S c i u ni s Linnaeus, Systema naturae, ed. 10, 1 : 63. Type Sciurus 

 vulgaris Linnaeus. 

 Tail very Jong and bushy, the hairs longest on the sides; ears well developed, 

 pointed, hairy; thumb with a rudimentary nail. (Sciurus; Gk. shade tail) 



The genus Sciurus, which is found in nearly all parts of the world 

 except Australia and the neighboring islands, is well represented in 

 North America, about 80 forms occurring north of Panama. Three 

 species are found within our limits. 



SPECIES OF SCIURUS 



Size small, hind foot less than 50 (2) ; back red (red 



squirrels, subgenus Tamiasciurus) S. hudsonicus 



Size medium or large, hind foot over 60 (2|) ; back not red 

 Ears whitish (gray squirrels, subgenus Neosciurus). S. carolinensis 

 Ears rusty brown (fox squirrels, subgenus Parasciurus) S.ludovicianus 



Sciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben) Red squirrel 



Size small ; hack red, varying much in exact shade ; belly white or gray, never 

 tawny in forms found within our limits, (hudsonicus; N. Lat., Hudsonian) 



The well known red squirrel occurs throughout the wooded parts of 

 northern North America. In different regions it has developed numer- 

 ous well marked local races, three of which occur in eastern North 

 America. 



SUBSPECIES OF SCIURUS HUDSONICUS 



Hind foot about 44 (1|) ; edge of tail reddish. S. hudsonicus gymnicus 



Hind foot about 47 (U) ; edge of tail yellow- 

 ish or grayish 



Belly in winter pelage gray S. hudsonicus hudsonicus 



Belly always pure white S. hudsonicus loquax 



Sciurus hudsonicus gymnicus Bangs Canadian red squirrel 



1899 Sciurus hudsonicus gymnicus Bangs, Proc. New Eiighvnd zool. 

 club. 31 Mar. 1899. 1:28. (Greenville (near Moosehead hike) Maine) 



CoZora dIarA; and rich ; outer fringe of tail distinctly rec?; belly white in sum- 

 mer, dark gray in winter. Total length, 290 (lU); tail vertebrae, 120 {\'i^ ; 

 hind foot, 44 (If), (gymnicus; Lat., gymnastic) 



The Canadian red squirrel inhabits the Canadian forests of eastern 

 North America, south to northern New York. 



