206 MAMMALIA. 



know there were six screech-owls. The crevices of the house were 

 always inhabited \)y tlie s(|uirrels. The docilit)- of the one we kept 

 as a pet was remarkable ; althous^h he was never lively and playful 

 in the da\'-time, he would i)erniit himself to be handled and spread 

 out at the pleasure of any one. We frequently took him from th(^ 

 cage, laid him on the table or on one hand, and exposed the exten- 

 sion of his skin, smoothed his fur, j)ut him in our pocket or bosom, 

 &c., he pretending- all the tinie to be asleep." "'' 



SCIUROPTERUS VOLUCELLA HUDSONIUS ((■■"-•li") Alien. 



Nortlicr>i Flyi)io- Squirrel. 



The Northern Flying Squirrel is a common inhabitant of tlu: 

 elevated central area of the Adirondacks and is not particularly rare 

 about the outskirts of the region, where 1 have found both \arieties 

 nesting in adjoining trees. Although this is much the larger of the 

 two, and may also be distinguished by some peculiarities of colora- 

 tion, indi\-iduals arc; sometimes met with that are more or less inter- 

 mediate ; still, I have )et to see the specimen that cannot at once be 

 referred either to the one or the other. 



The Northern M)ing Squirrel is a hardier animal than its smaller 

 relatixc, ami remains awake and actix't; during the whole of our long 

 and se\ere winters. The mercur)- ma)- indicate a temperature man)- 

 degrees below zero, or snow may be falling in (juantities sufficient to 

 obstruct the vision, without seeming in any way to dishearten this 

 merry adventurer. The last ra)s of the departing sun ha\e scarcely 

 disappeared from the western horizon before the sombre shades that 

 mark the approach of winter night commence to gather about the snow- 

 clad forest. Whether bright stars sparkle and shine through a frosty 

 atmosphere, or heavy, leaden clouds overhang the scene, makes little 

 difference to the Northern Mying Scjuirrel. He emerges from his 

 warm nest, takes a hasty survey of the surroundings lest .some wily 



* (^u.a(lriii)e(U of North Aineric.i, Vol. I, 1S46, p. 220. 



