356 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



black, white, and brown. It is twice the fize of the 

 common Squirrel, lives under ground, where it brings 

 forth its young, and lays in its ftock of provifions. It 

 feeds on maize ; and is extremely lively, gentle, and do- 

 cile. — It is the Coquallion of M, BufFon. 



The Ground SQJJIRREL 



is very numerous in the forefts of North-America, as 

 well as the North of Afia. — It burrows in the ground, 

 and makes two entrances to its habitation ; that if one 

 fhould be flopped up, it may have accefs by the other. 

 Its hole is formed with great feill, having feveral branch- 

 es from the principal paflage, each of which is termi- 

 nated by a ftore-houfe, in which its winter food is depo- 

 fited : In one is contained acorns, in another nuts, in a 

 third maize, and in another chefnuts, which are its fa- 

 vourite food. 



Thefe animals feldom ftir out during winter, nor fo 

 long as their provifions lad : When thofe fail, they fome- 

 times work their way into places where apples are laid 

 up, or into barns where maize is ftored, and make great 

 havock. During harveft, they fill their mouths fo full 



