14 



Northern Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis leucotis Gapp. 



Considerably larger than the Carolina gray squirrel and con- 

 fined in its range to the higher mountains where in some places it 

 is common. In October, 1896, I was with a hunting and collecting 

 party that killed about thirty very fine specimens in a chestnut 

 woods on the summit of Young's mountain, Pocahontas county. 

 Black individuals occur also in this form. It was formerly believed 

 that the black squirrels belonged to a distinct species but it is now 

 known that the black is but a color phase of the gray forms. 



Northern Pine or Ked Squirrel, Sciurus hudsonicus gymnicus 

 Bangs. 



Very abundant in the spruce forests of our mountains. Feeds 

 on seeds of spruce and hemlock. I observed them feeding exten- 

 sively on buckeyes on the slopes of Black mountain in 1896. 



Southeastern Red Squirrel, Sciurus hudsonicas loquax Bangs. 



Occasionally met with in considerable numbers in the hilly and 

 less elevated portions of the State but is usually somewhat rare. 

 Frequents open decidious woods and tree-bordered lanes. A 

 chattering, meddlesome little busy-body that does not fear the 

 passerby and never fails to fling him a challenge of some sort. 



Northern Fox Squirrel, Sciurus rufiventris neglectus Gray. 



Was once somewhat common but is now rarely met with. In- 

 habits decidious wood?. Surber has taken a few specimens near 

 "White Sulpluir Springs. I have seen it at French Creek and in a 

 beech woods near Edray. 



It is possible that the western fox squirrel, S. rufiventer, may 

 occasionally occur in the western part of the State. The fox squir- 

 rels, like our other species, need further study in order to determine 

 their respective ranges. 



Ground Squirrel or Chipmunk, Tamms striatus Linn. 



]May be met with from the low river valleys to the spruce woods 

 of our highest moimtains. Occasionally becomes very abundant 



