CHAPTER X. 
SQUIRRELS AND THEIR HABITS-THE GRAY AND THE EOX SQUIR- 
REL —THE BLACK AND THE RED— THE GROUND SQUIRREL OR 
CHIPMUNK — THE FLYING SQUIRREL — THE PORCUPINE — ITS 
HABITS AND USE OF ITS QUILLS— THE HARE— THE VARYING 
HARE. 
The next family is that of the Squirrels ( Sciuridoe ), 
nearly all of them living on trees, for which purpose their 
long flexible toes with acute nails, enable them to leap from 
tree to tree, rarely missing their hold. 
Description . — Their tails are long and bushy ; eyes large ; 
body elongated ; ears erect : they feed on nuts, seeds, grain, 
&c. 
Foremost amongst 
these lively little ani- 
mals, stands The Grey 
Squirrel QSciurus leu - 
cotis or cinereus ') , found 
everywhere through the 
continent. This, as well 
as some of the other 
species, in some years 
becomes exceedingly multiplied, and then perhaps for some 
years very few of them will be seen. This sudden increase 
and diminution of their numbers, seems to depend upon two 
causes, the supply of food, and the severity of the winters. 
Their great multiplication generally follows a mild winter, 
which has been preceded by a productive summer. The 
Grey Squirrel prefers woods abounding in oak, walnut, but- 
ternut or hickory trees, as affording him most food : during the 
fall he collects a supply for the winter, which he deposits in 
