ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
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game, this, nature’s constable, on first sight sets up his shrill 
cry, putting all else around on their guard. His favorite 
haunt is a cedar swamp. His habits are materially influenced 
by climate ; at the north he forms deep burrows in the earth, 
under the roots of trees to protect himself from the cold, whilst 
further south he contents himself with the hollow of a tree. 
The Striped Squirrel (S. striatus'), better known under 
the name of Ground Squirrel, Hackee, or Chipmunk (the latter 
probably its aboriginal name), is met with almost all over the 
continent. It differs from the preceding species in having 
its chief residence in the ground, while the others take to 
trees. It is usually seen running along fences, and stone 
walls which afford it a ready retreat. Under these it 
usually makes its burrow, and lays up its store for winter 
use. A favorite spot is the centre of some decayed or 
decaying stump. It seldom ascends trees ; is of an irri- 
table nature, resisting every attempt at domestication. 
When alarmed, it immediately takes to its hole, which it 
enters with a peculiar shrill cry indicative of safety, as much 
as to say “ catch me now if you can.” In the fall of the 
year it is very busy conveying grain, &c., to its winter quar- 
ters, instinct warning it of the approaching season ; and 
really if some of our own species would take this provident 
little fellow as an example, it would relieve charitable societies 
of many of their cares ! There are many other species of 
Squirrel, but locally distributed. 
The next species is the Pteromys , or Flying Squirrel. 
Description . — Skin dilated on the sides, from the fore to 
the hind legs, forming a sort of parachute : from the fore 
arm is a bony appendage supporting the membrane. By 
the aid of this membrane it darts from tree to tree, not by a 
movement of it as in the bats, but by sailing downwards 
obliquely, and rising suddenly when within a few inches of 
the tree it wishes to alight upon. 
The Flying Squirrel (. Pteromys volucella) is met with in 
