MORE SQUIRRELS 



variety, formerly the most abundant in the West 

 and South and even now not uncommon in many 

 districts, as far as I can learn is practically un- 

 known in New England. I have occasionally 

 seen specimens that looked quite black in the 

 distance, but the darkest of those that I have had 

 the opportunity of examining close at hand 

 proved to be merely very dark gray above and 

 the colour of rusty iron beneath, with an unusual 

 amount of grizzly black about the tail. 



The black squirrels appear to have steadily 

 diminished in numbers since the country was 

 first settled, and no wonder, for they must find 

 concealment difficult at all times and doubly so 

 in the winter, — though possibly in regions 

 where forest fires are of frequent occurrence the 

 blackened wood may serve to render them some- 

 what less conspicuous. But under almost any 

 circumstances, one would suppose that the gray 

 squirrel would have the advantage when it came 

 to a question of hiding from enemies, and it is 



243 



