HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 355 



dible damage to the plantations. Great flocks of them 

 defcend from the mountains, and lay wafte the fields of 

 maize, by eating the young ears. — A reward of three- 

 pence per head was given for every one that was killed ; 

 and fuch numbers were deftroyed in one year, that Penn- 

 fylvania alone paid in rewards the fum of 8000L of its 

 currency. 



It makes its neft in hollow trees, with mofs, ftraw, 

 wool, &c. — It lays up (tores of provifions in holes made 

 in the ground, for its winter fuftenance. Thefe hoards 

 are often deftroyed by Swine ; and are fometimes fo long 

 covered with fnow, that the Squirrel perifhes for want of 

 food. 



They are not eafily {hot, but evade the gun with great 



quicknefs the moment they fee it levelled. They are 



eafily tamed ; and their flefh is efteemed very delicate. 



The fur is very valuable, and is imported under the 

 name of petit-gris. 



The Black SQUIRREL 



is about the fame fize and form with the laft; but its 

 tail is not fo long. It is generally black, with white on 

 the nofe, ears, and end of the tail. 



Its difpofition and habits are fo fimilar to the Grey 

 Squirrel, that it might be taken for a variety of that 

 kind ; but it is faid to aflbciate in feparate troops, and is 

 equally numerous. 



It is found in the northern parts of Afia, North-Ame- 

 rica, and Mexico. 



In the latter country, there is a variety with plain 

 round ears ; the upper part of the body variegated with 



Z 2 



