CALIFORNIA GREY SQUIRREL. 
265 
HABITS. 
This beautiful squirrel has been often killed by Mr. J. E. Clements, 
in the pine woods of California, near Murphy’s “ diggings.” It is 
exceedingly swift on the ground, and will not readily take to a tree, or, 
if it does, ascends only a few feet, and then jumping down to the ground 
runs off with its tail held up but curved downwards towards the tip like 
that of a fox when in flight. 
By the aid of a fast cur dog, it may, however, be put up a tree. In this 
case it hides if a hole offers in which to conceal itself ; and unlike some 
others of its genus, seldom leaps from one tree to another over the higher 
boughs in the endeavour to make its escape. 
It appears to make its nest generally in the decayed part of an oak 
tree, and in the desire to reach its secure retreat, is doubtless led to 
attempt to run to this tree on the ground, rather than by ascending the 
nearest trunk and jumping from branch to branch. 
A large part of its food consists of nuts, which are stuck in hollows or 
holes bored in the pine trees by a species of woodpecker called by the 
Californians “ Sapsuckers.” These nuts are placed in holes in the bark, 
which are only so deep as to admit the nuts (which are placed small end 
foremost in them), leaving the large end visible and about flush with 
the bark — they thus present the appearance of pins or pegs of wood stuck 
into the trees, and are very curious objects to the eye of the stranger. 
The California grey squirrel is a roving animal. One may sometimes 
see from one to a dozen in a morning’s hunt in the pines, and again not 
meet any. They very seldom leave the pines, but are occasionally seen 
in the dry season following the beds of the then almost empty water 
courses, which afford them, in common with other animals and birds, water 
and such roots and grasses as they cannot find on the uplands at that 
period of the year. 
They bark somewhat in the same tones as the grey squirrel of the 
Atlantic States, but immediately cease when they perceive they are 
observed by man. Sometimes they seem to be excited to the utterance of 
their cries by the whistling of the California partridges, which, near the 
hills, approach the edges of the pine woods. 
Most of those shot by Mr. Clements were killed when running on the 
ground. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
This species is found in California in the wooded districts on the sides 
of the hills, and extends to Oregon, as, in Mr. Peale’s work, we have 
accounts of its having been observed there, 
yol. Hi, — 34, 
