AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
241 
THE GRAY SQUIRREL. 
SCIURUS CAR OLINENSIS. 
(Plate XXL Vol. 2.) 
Sciurus Carolinensis et Cinereus ; Gmel. Schreb. tab. 213. 
Sciurus Carolinensis, Godman. Vol. 2. p. 131. Petit 
Gris: Buff. 10 .pi. 25. encycl. pi. 74. Jig. 3. Ecureuil 
gris de la Carolina; Bose. n. p. 96. pi. 29: F. Cuv. 
Mam. Lit hog. livr. lie. Gray Squirrel: Penn. Arct. 
Zool. i. 135. Hist. Quad. No. 272. — J. Doughty’s 
Collection. 
There are few animals better known in this country 
than the one under present notice, and, from the circum- 
stance of their being introduced so frequently as pets in 
human habitations, our knowledge is acquired at a very 
early age. They are, however, so plentifully scattered 
over every part of the United States, that it is to be pre- 
sumed, scarcely an individual can be found who is igno- 
rant of the Gray Squirrel. 
The pursuit of this animal has always been looked upon 
as a very inviting sport, and is entered into by both old 
and young, until age and eyesight in the former render 
the sport a burthen; and by the latter, so soon as the 
fowling-piece or rifle can be effectually wielded, and 
“ dropping Squirrels” from the tallest trees, are the boast- 
ed exploits of each. On the mountains, and in the newly- 
settled districts of the country, this sport is very common; 
perhaps because these animals abound in greater numbers 
there. In destroying Squirrels some use the short gun, 
and others the rifle; the latter, however, is more common- 
ly used, in consequence of the good practice the sport 
affords for the use of that instrument; the part usually 
aimed at is the head, and so accurate are practitioners in 
shooting the rifle, that seldom any other part of the ani- 
mal is struck; sometimes, those who are superior in skill, 
show their dexterity in killing the animal, without 
striking it with the ball; this is called by the hunters 
“ harking Squirrels,” and is performed by striking the 
bark immediately under the Squirrel, which destroys 
life instantaneously, by the violence of the concussion 
thus effected. 
To an inexperienced eye, the Squirrel, when lodged in 
the foliage of a tall tree, is a difficult object to discover, 
and when seen by such, they frequently are at a loss to 
determine whether the object seen is a Squirrel or not. 
These animals are not only shy, but most agile in their 
movements, and these qualities are increased accordingly 
P p p 
as they become persecuted, to so great extent, that in pass- 
ing from limb to limb of adjoining trees, they frequently 
elude the most active pursuit. 
In districts where Squirrels abound, they may be seen 
at all hours, except the middle of the day; but in thickly 
inhabited neighbourhoods, where they are shot at and 
worried much, it requires great caution to discover them; 
the most propitious periods then, are from daylight to sun- 
rise, and from sunset until dark. The approach of the 
huntsman at these times must be with much quietness 
and caution, and must be directed always to those trees 
which are their favourite resort for food, the chief of 
which is the shellbark. The keen eye of an experienced 
Squirrel hunter cannot always discover the object of his 
pursuit on the tall trees which grow in our forests, and 
is often obliged to determine the presence of these ani- 
mals by the fragments gnawed from the nuts which lie 
scattered beneath the trees. Sometimes a dropping nut 
denotes a Squirrel nigh, if not on the tree of his imme- 
diate search. A falling nut may he heard through the 
still wood at a very considerable distance, and so soon as 
the sound reaches the ear of the hunter, he directs his foot- 
steps to the spot whence the sound proceeded, with quiet 
stealth, and soon discovers the game eating its food on the 
topmost branches of the tree; sometimes the animal, warn- 
ed of the approach of its enemy by the rustling leaves or 
the cracking twigs beneath his footsteps, seeks safety by 
escaping to its hole, or hides itself against some large 
limb of the same tree, or runs to the extremity of the top, 
and there remains motionless in supposed security amid 
the thickest collection of leaves. The eyes and ingenuity 
of the hunter are now employed to detect his prey; he 
looks with intensity into every limb and branch, but un- 
able to discern the wary little animal, he tries other posi- 
tions around the tree, until at length he sees a spot among 
the leaves of more density than other parts, or perhaps, 
on a limb, a small gray tuft, like moss or tow, and level- 
ling his gun, he fires, and the falling Squirrel proves the 
unerring certainty of his judgment. It often happens, 
however, that a Squirrel cannot be discovered in these po- 
sitions when in a quiescent state, and ingenuity is em- 
ployed to excite motion, and this effected, no matter how- 
trivial, will at once discover the position of the game. The 
means usually employed to do this, are the shaking of a 
small bush near or under the tree on which the animal is 
supposed to be lodged, or striking its trunk with vio- 
lence. 
In many parts where Squirrels are scarce, they are hunt- 
ed with small dogs, trained for the purpose, which, so 
soon as a tree on which a Squirrel rests is discovered, sig- 
nify it to their master by barking; and with a good dog of 
