242 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
this description a hunter will tree and shoot many Squir- 
rels. 
The food of the Gray Squirrel consists of hickory-nuts, 
chesnuts, beech-nuts, acorns, maize, Indian corn, and 
every other variety of cultivated grain; and it frequently 
requires the utmost vigilance of the husbandman to protect 
his interests from suffering materially by the frequent and 
destructive visits of these his unwelcome little neighbours. 
Pennant in his Zoology remarks, “that from January, 
1749, to January, 1750, Pennsylvania paid eight thousand 
pounds currency; but on complaint being made by the 
deputies that their treasuries were exhausted by these re- 
wards, they were reduced to] one-half, that is from three 
pence to a penny and a half.” On the history of this 
Squirrel, and Squirrels in general, Dr. God man says: 
“ The Gray Squirrel prefers the oak, hickory and 
chesnut woods, where it finds a copious supply of nuts 
and mast, of which it provides large hoards for the winter. 
Their nests are placed chiefly in tall oak-trees at the forks 
of the branches; these nests are very comfortable, being 
thickly covered and lined with dried leaves. During cold 
weather the Squirrels seldom leave these snug retreats, ex- 
cept for the purpose of visiting their store-houses, and ob- 
taining a supply of provisions. It has been observed that 
the approach of uncommonly cold weather is foretold 
when these Squirrels are seen out in unusual numbers, 
gathering a larger stock of provisions, lest their magazines 
should fail. This, however, is not an infallible sign, at 
least in vicinities where many hogs are allowed to roam 
at large, as these keen-nosed brutes are very expert at dis- 
covering the winter hoards of the Squirrel, which they 
immediately appropriate to their own use. 
“ If the Gray Squirrels confined themselves to the diet 
afforded by the forest trees, the farmers would profit con- 
siderably thereby. But, having once tasted the sweet- 
ness of Indian corn and other cultivated grains, they leave 
acorns and such coarse fare to the hogs, while they invade 
the corn-fields, and carry off and destroy a very large 
quantity. 
“ This species is remarkable among all our Squirrels 
for its beauty and activity. It is in captivity remarkably 
playful and mischievous, and is more frequently kept as 
a pet than any other. It becomes very tame, and may be 
allowed to spend a great deal of the time entirely at liberty, 
where there is nothing exposed that can be injured by its 
teeth, which it is sure to try upon every article of furni- 
ture, &c., in its vicinity. This Squirrel, when domesti- 
cated, drinks frequently, and a considerable quantity of 
water at each draught. 
“The Gray Squirrel varies considerably in colour, but 
is most commonly of a fine bluish gray, mingled with a 
slight golden hue. This golden colour is especially ob- 
vious on the head, along the sides, where the white hair 
of the belly approaches the gray of the sides, and on the 
anterior part of the fore and superior part of the hind feet, 
where it is very rich and deep. This mark on the hind 
feet is very permanent, and evident even in those varieties 
which differ most from the common colour. There is one 
specimen in the Philadelphia Museum of a light brown- 
ish red on all the superior parts of the body.” 
“The species comprised in this genus are in different 
degrees remarkable for their sprightly agility and grace- 
ful movements, as well as for their personal beauty and 
neatness. The forest is their appropriate residence, and 
nature has provided them not only with the means of ra- 
pidly ascending the loftiest trees, but with teeth capable 
of opening the way to food, which is effectually secured 
from almost every other creature. The hardest nuts found 
in the woods afford ample provision to the Squirrels, and 
the number of nuts destroyed by these animals, though 
small when compared with the whole quantity produced, 
must have some effect in preventing the superabundant in- 
crease of forest trees. 
“ The muscular strength displayed by these animals is 
very great, when compared with their size. They make 
astonishing leaps from branch to branch, and from tree to 
tree, when engaged in sporting with each other, or en- 
deavouring to escape from pursuit. At such times, when 
no tree is sufficiently near to be reached by a single spring, 
the Squirrel unhesitatingly drops from the greatest height 
to the ground, and falls with a force apparently sufficient 
to crush him; but no injury is experienced, and a few se- 
conds are sufficient for his escape into the top of the near- 
est tree. 
“ The actions of most of these animals are marked by a 
peculiar vivacity and playfulness. When moving on the 
ground, Squirrels advance by a succession of short leaps, 
while the long bushy tail, waving in graceful undulations, 
renders their whole appearance very interesting. When 
engaged in listening, they sit erect on their hinder limbs, 
having the tail beautifully raised against the back, and 
falling into an easy curve at its extremity towards the 
ground. In eating, the position is much the same; the food 
is held in the fore paws, principally between the rudi- 
mental thumbs and the adjoining part of the palms. The 
facility with which they cut through the covering of the hard- 
est nuts is very remarkable; they first turn the nut about 
until they get it into the most favourable position, and 
then examine it by gnawing slightly in different places. If 
the nut be withered or rotten it is speedily thrown aside 
and another sought. When a good one is obtained, and the 
proper place for opening it is selected, (which is the thin- 
