37 



tion, with the eyes closed, and devoid of hair. The}' remain 

 in the nest for at least two months. A second litter is 

 sometimes brought forth in July or August. 



Instead of systematically storing a supply of food for win- 

 ter use as is generally supposed, the gray squirrel will hi the 

 autumn bury quantities of nuts and acorns under the leaves, 

 and in the winter numerous holes in the snow will be found 

 where they have dug down after the buried treasure. In 

 searching upon the snow-covered ground for hidden nuts, a 

 squirrel moves slowly with the head held close to the snow, 

 and then suddenly starts digging, and rarely without success. 

 The sense of smell in these creatures is exceedingly acute 

 and they probably locate the concealed nut by smell, and not 

 by remembering the precise spot where each nut was buried. 



During very severe weather this species is rarely seen 

 abroad, as they confine themselves to their snug retreats 

 in hollow trees, venturing forth only durmg mild spells and 

 generally just before a storm. 



If unmolested, the Gray Squirrel soon becomes very tame 

 and will even seek the habitation of man hi preference to 

 making his home at a distance. Recently a brood was raised 

 in a large chestnut tree within twenty feet of the door of my 

 house. In Central Park, New York City, they have become 

 semi-domesticated and have grown so tame that if offered a 

 peanut or other dainty morsel, some individuals will make so 

 bold as to take the proffered food from the fingers. It may 

 be of interest to note that the eating of roasted peanuts is an 

 acquired habit with the " city squirrels." During the winter 

 of 1899 and 1900, I fastened a small box without a cover to 

 the body of a tree near my house and kept it supplied with 

 various kinds of nuts. The squirrels readily ate chestnuts, 

 walnuts, and other nuts, but would not touch roasted pea- 

 nuts, preferring rather to hunt for other food in the snow. 



