FOX SQUIRREL. 
137 
with the Fox Squirrel. When he is aware of being discovered whilst on 
the ground, he pushes directly for a hollow tree, which is often a quarter 
of a mile distant, and it requires a good dog, a man on horseback, or a 
very swift runner, to induce him to alter his course, or compel him to 
ascend any other tree. When he is silently seated on a tree and imagines 
himself unperceived by the person approaching him, he suddenly spreads 
himself flatly on the limb, and gently moving to the opposite side, often by 
this stratagem escapes detection. When, however, he is on a small tree, 
and is made aware of being observed, he utters a few querulous barking 
notes, and immediately leaps to the ground, and hastens to a more secure 
retreat. If overtaken by a dog, he defends himself with great spirit, and 
is often an overmatch for the small terriers which are used for the purpose 
of treeing him. 
He is very tenacious of life, and an ordinary shot gun, although it may 
wound him repeatedly, will seldom bring him down from the tops of the 
high pines to which he retreats when pur.sued, and in such situations the 
rifle is the only certain enemy he has to dread. 
This Squirrel is seldom seen out of its retreat early in the morning and 
evening, as is the habit of other species. He seems to be a late riser, 
and usually makes his appearance at 10 or 11 o’clock, and retires to his 
domicile long before evening. He does not appear to indulge so frequently 
in the barking propensities of the genus as the other and smaller species. 
This note, when heard, is not very loud, but hoarse and gutteral. He is 
easily' domesticated, and is occasionally seen in cages, but is less active 
and sprightly than the smaller species. 
As an article of food, the Fox Squirrel is apparently equally good with 
any other species, although we have observed that the little Carolina 
squirrel is u.sually preferred, as being more tender and delicate. Where, 
however, squirrels are very abundant, men soon become surfeited with 
this kind of game, and in Carolina, even among the poorer class, it is not 
generally considered a great delicacy. 
This species, like all the rest of the squirrels, is infested during the 
summer months with a troublesome larva (Oestrus), which fastening itself 
on the neck or shoulders, must be very annoying, as those most affected 
in this manner are usually poor and their fur appears thin and disordered. 
It is, however, less exposed to destruction from birds of prey and wild beasts 
than the other species. It leaves its retreat so late in the morning, and 
retires so early in the afternoon, that it is wholly exempt from the ra- 
pacity of owls, so destructive to the Carolina squirrel. We have seen it 
bid defiance to the attacks of the red-shouldered hawk (Falco lineatus), 
the only abundant species in the south ; and jt frequents high grounds 
VOL. ri. — 18. 
