TTTR FT.YIN(^ RQIIIRK'KI), 



485 



SCnilKOrTIOUUS VOI.ANS ( I/mii:UMis). 

 FLYING SQUIRREL. 



[Mus\ voldHs hinii., Syst. Xnl., cd. 10, Vol. I, p. (i)^, 1758. 



Sciuroptcriis volans Kvcnnaiiii Butler, I*i*o(i. Ind. Acad. 



Sci. for 1893, p. 181, 1894. 



Diagnostic characters. — Distinguished by the iriemljraiie which 

 extends from the fore leg along the side to the hind leg. 



Description. — Fur very dense and soft. Color, brownish drab 

 above, with the under parts pure creamy white from chin to tail, 

 the hairs being white at the base as well as the tip, a somewhat 

 unusual condition among mammals. The cheeks are whitish and 

 there is an indistinct dark ring around the eye. The fore feet 

 are white ; hind feet brown above, excepting the toes. 



The ears are small and rounded. The fur of the tail is dense 

 and long, standing out at the sides, thus making the tail very broad 

 and flat. The membrane which extends along the flanks is merely 

 a double fold of skin produced from the sides and belly. In skin- 

 ning the animal it is apt to split open from the inside. 



Measurements, — An adult male from Mitchell measured 230 

 mm. (9% in.) in total length; tail, 97 mm. (4 in.) ; hind food, 28 

 mm. (11/8 in.). 



Skull and teeth. — The skull is distinguished from that of other 

 squirrels found in Indiana by its small size and rounded form. 

 The braincase is depressed at the back; postorbital processes very 

 short. Rostrum short and sharply marked off from the broad inter- 

 orbital region. Cheek teeth five in number, the first one small and 

 so closely applied to the second as to be easily mistaken for a part 

 of it. 



Range. — This species of flying squirrel has a range from New 

 England to Georgia and west to the plains. Other species are found 

 in the west, south and north. In Indiana it doubtless occurs in 

 every county. 



Hahits. — Flying squirrels are almost as numerous in some local- 

 ities as gray squirrels, but they are seldom seen because of their 

 nocturnal habits. During the warm nights that come in late Feb- 

 ruary, March and April their shrill, bird-like calls may be heard 

 in almost any woodland by him who knows how to listen. 



During the late summer they may sometimes be seen in the 

 evening twilight, sailing from some lofty point to the base of a 

 tree not far away. They cannot be truly said to fly, for they do 

 not propel themselves while in air, but gather impetus in leaping 



