150 STRIPED SQUIRREL. 



back runs a black streak ; and on each side tli^ 

 body are two others^, the included space between 

 each being of a pale yellow tinge : the tail is 

 marked with annuli or circular spaces, like that 

 of a mouse, but the fur spreads slightly on the 

 sides, as in the rest of the squirrels, though in a 

 much less conspicuous manner; and the tips of 

 the hairs, being blackish, give the appearance, 

 when the tail is spread, of three lines or streaks 

 through its whole length. 



These animals are, according to the observa- 

 tions of Dr. Pallas, extremely common in Siberia, 

 inhabiting the maple and birch wood^ of that 

 country, and generally forming their nests or bm- 

 rows near the root of some tree : they are never 

 known to ascend trees in the manner of other 

 squirrels, unless suddenly surprised or pursued, 

 when they climb with great expedition, and con- 

 ceal themselves among the branches : they collect 

 their stores during the autumnal season, and on 

 the setting in of winter conceal themselves in 

 their burrows, the entrances of which they stop ; 

 and pass the greatest part of the rigorous season 

 in sleep, and in feeding on their collected stores ; 

 but if, by an unusual continuance of severe wea- 

 ther, their provisions happen to fail, they then 

 sally out in quest of fresh supplies, and occasion- 

 ally make their way into granaries, and even into 

 houses. In the choice of their food they are re- 

 markably nice, and have been observed, after fill- 

 ing their pouches with rye, to fling it out on 

 meeting with wheat, and replace it with the su- 



