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BLACK SQUIRREL. 93 
This species resides principally among the trees ; 
in the hollows of which it makes its nest, with 
straw, moss, and other materials ; and feeds on 
acorns, fir-cones, maize, &c. as well as on various 
kinds of fruit. It is said to amass great quanti- 
ties of provision for winter ; which it deposits in 
holes that it prepares beneath the roots of trees, 
and in other places. 
When these animals are sitting on a bough, and 
perceive a man approach, they instantly move their 
tails backward and forward, and make a chattering 
noise with their teeth. This renders them peculi- 
arly odious to sportsmen, who often loose their 
game by the alarm they thus create. 
The flesh of the grey squirrel is eaten by some 
persons, and is esteemed very delicate. The skins 
in America arc used for ladies' shoes ; and are 
often imported into England for the lining or facing 
of cloaks. They are very difficult to kill ; chang- 
ing their place on the trees with such expedition, 
as generally to elude the shot of the most expert 
marksman. They are said to be easily tamed ; 
and in that state to associate readily with other do- 
mestic animals. 
BLACK SQUIRREL. 
The black squirrels are very nearly allied to 
the preceding species ; differing principally in 
their coal-black colour, and somewhat shorter 
tail. The muzzle and the tip of the tail are some- 
times white. 
They are natives of America, and migrate from 
the territory of the United States. They take to 
the water when rivers lie in their route ; but, as if 
conscious of their inability to cross the Niagara in 
its wide parts, they have been observed to bend 
their course along its banks, above the falls, and 
