188 GNAWING ANIMALS 



lacks in size it makes up in courage and activity. In New 

 York and New England it often drives all the gray squirrels 

 out of any grove which they have undertaken to inhabit 

 as tenants in common. Many observers believe the habits 

 of the Red Squirrel to be so bad that the species deserves 

 to be exterminated; but to this we are not prepared to agree. 

 The complete destruction of any species of mammal or bird 

 is a doubtful experiment, and never should be entered upon 

 without most careful investigation. 



In its normal colors, this little animal is readily recognized 

 by its brown upper surface and outer surface of its legs, and 

 its white under-parts. It must be remembered, however, 

 that it undergoes important seasonal changes in pelage, — 

 from winter coat to summer coat, and the reverse, — and some- 

 times its standard colors are greatly changed. 



Its legs are long and thin in proportion to the size of its 

 body, and its form is not as graceful as that of the gray .or 

 fox squirrels. It is readily recognized by its markings, and 

 the fact that it is the smallest of our northern tree squirrels. 



Three species and eighteen subspecies of Red Squirrels are 

 recognized, and their combined ranges cover about two-thirds 

 of North America, from Alaska and Labrador to North Caro- 

 lina and southern Arizona. 



In California and Oregon this group is represented by the 

 sprightly and interesting Douglas Squirrel,^ showing a 

 mixture of colors, — dark gray, yellowish, and black. This is 

 the most familiar squirrel of the great coast forests, in which 

 it uses the sides of the giant spruces and redwoods as play- 



* Sci-u'nts doug'las-i. 



