NORTH AMERICA. 



87 



marked with three black lines on each side. The Four-lined Squirrel is found on the Rocky 

 Mountains. Its nest is composed of a great quantity of the branches of difierent kinds of trees 

 and of other vegetable productions. It does not ascend trees by choice. This squirrel is 

 marked on the head and back with white lines. It is exceedingly active and industrious. 



The Rocky Mountain Flying Squirrel lives in thick pine forests, and seldom leaves hs re- 

 treat except at night. It is of a yellowish- 

 brown color, and has a thick and long tail. 

 The Camas Rat, or Gopher, is found on the 

 Oregon and Missouri rivers. It lives beneath 

 the surface of the earth, and eats roots. The 

 head appears lai'ge and clumsy, owing to its 

 cheek-pouches. The root of the camas plant 

 is its favorite food, from which it derives its 

 name. It is said by Schoolcraft to employ 

 its pouches in carrying dirt out of its hole, 

 and Richardson adopts this account as true ; 

 but an intelligent individual, who has spent 

 much time in the country which it frequents, 

 assures us, that he has often seen the gopher 

 at work, and that it brings up the dirt with 

 Its broad feet. The quantity that it will throw out in a short space of time, is truly astonishing. 

 The Cat Squirrel, which is the largest species in the United States, is occasionally found in 

 Pennsylvania and New York. 



The Flying Squirrel [Petcromys volvccUa) is very abundant in various parts of the country. 



It is much admired for the softness of its fur, and the gentle- 

 ness of its disposition. The skin of the sides is extended 

 from the fore to the hind limbs, so as to form a sort of sail, 

 which enables it to descend swiftly from a great height, in 

 the easiest and most pleasant manner, often passing over a 

 considerable space. This squirrel is small, of an ash color 

 above, and white beneath, with large, prominent, black eyes. 

 It builds its nest in hollow trees. 

 Common Flying Squirrel. The Ground or Striped Squirrel (Sciurns Lysteri) is 



abundant in all our woods. It is sometimes called Harkee, 

 and, in New England, is usually denominated the Chip Squirrel. It differs very much from 

 other squirrels in its habits. It never makes its nest in the branches of trees, but burrows near 

 the roots. These burrows extend to a considerable distance under ground, and are always 

 provided with two openings. 



The Urson, or Canada Porcupine (Histrix pilosus), is occasionally met with in Pennsylva- 

 nia and the western part of the State of New York ; further north and west it is abundant. It 

 resembles the beaver in shape, its skin being armed with sharp spines or quills, which serve 

 for defence ; the Indians use these for ornamenting their moccasins and various other articles 

 of dress. The porcupine dislikes water, and is fearful of wetting himself. He makes his 

 habitation under the roots of hollow trees, sleeps a great deal, and feeds chiefly upon the bark 

 of juniper. In winter, the snow serves him for drink ; in summer, he laps water like a dog. 

 The Hare. The animal {Lepus Americanus), which is generally, but erroneously, called 



rabbit in this country, is a species of hare considerably infe- 

 rior in size to that of England. It is abundant in different 

 parts of America. Large numbers are annually destroyed 

 for the sake of their flesh and fur. It never burrows in the 

 ground like the common European rabbit, but during the 

 daytime, remains crouched in its form, which is a mere 

 space of the size of the animal, upon the surface of the 

 American Hare. ground, cleared of grass, and sheltered by some plant. The 



best time for studying its habits is during moonlight nights, 

 when it is to be seen sporting with its companions in unconstrained gambols, frisking with de- 

 lighted eagerness around its mate, or busily engaged in cropping its food. 



Rocky Mountain Flying Squirrel. 



