WEASEL-LIKE SQUIRREL. 
259 
HABITS. 
The Weasel-like Squirrel feeds in the woody portions of California, on 
acorns, the seeds of the pines and other trees, and makes its nest in the 
oaks or nut-bearing pines of that country, which, from their broad spread- 
ing branches and dense leafy boughs, afford it security against the hunter, 
as with equal cunning and agility it hides itself, when alarmed, amid the 
evergreen foliage, and except when surprised on the ground or near the 
earth, and shot instantly, can seldom be killed. There is no more tanta- 
lizing game, in fact, and as the branches interlock at a moderate elevation 
from the ground, the animal easily goes from one tree to another, and so 
swiftly that it is not often to be traced in its course of flight along the 
boughs. 
We are unacquainted with the time of this animal’s breeding, but pre- 
sume it brings forth about four or five young at a birth. The young of all 
species of squirrels with which we are familiar, are born blind, and remain 
without sight from four to six weeks. This is an admirable provision of 
nature for their safety, as were they able to use their eyes at an earlier 
period, they would doubtless be tempted to quit the security of the nest 
and venture on to the branches, before they had gained strength enough 
to preserve their footing, and would thus probably fall to the earth and be 
killed. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
The specimen from which our figure and description were made was 
procured in California. We have no authority for stating its northern or 
southern range, but consider it a western species — by which we mean that 
it is not found east of the Rocky Mountain chain. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
From its thin covering of hair, being nearly destitute of the soft fur 
usually clothing the squirrels, this species may be considered as belonging 
to a moderate or warm climate. It differs widely from all the other 
species of Black Squirrel (as well as all black varieties of Squirrel), in our 
country. It has shorter and coarser hair than S. capistratus, and is desti- 
tute of the white nose and ears of that species, with none of the white 
tufts invariably found in S.mger ; and has a smaller body, although a 
much longer tail than S. Auduboni, without the white, yellow, and brown 
annulations in the hair which characterize that species. 
