1881 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
317 
The Squirrels of North America. 
The different species of Squirrels, when 
brought together, as in the accompanying 
engraving, make a large and attractive group. 
Some of them are common over a large part 
of the United States, while others are quite 
limited in their range. No. 1, the Cat Squir¬ 
rel, is a rather rare species, in size between 
the Fox Squirrel and the Migratory Gray, 
with numerous whiskers which are longer 
than the head. Its color varies from light 
gray to almost black. It is found in the 
Central and Eastern States. No. 2, the Oregon 
Flying Squirrel, is a handsome, medium-sized, 
brown-colored squirrel, that inhabits the 
mountain-valleys of the great Rocky Chain. 
No. 3, the Migratory Gray, is the most active 
large species of Squirrel common east of the 
Mississippi River. There are two distinct varie¬ 
ties as regards color; the Black and the Gray. 
In some years it is much more abundant than 
in others, as it has a migratory habit. No. 4, 
the Chickaree Red, or Hudson Bay Squirrel, 
is a third smaller than the one last men¬ 
tioned, and is of a deep red color on the 
upper surface and white below. It is the 
most common and noisy squirrel throughout 
the Eastern States. The Common Flying 
Squirrel, No. 5, is a small animal about the 
size of the Chipping Squirrel. It has no 
proper flight, but by the aid of an expansion 
of the skin between the fore and hind feet it 
is enabled to sail from a higher to a lower 
point, and the momentum thus gained allows 
it to ascend slightly at the end of its course. 
The flying membrane is distended by an addi¬ 
tional small bone articulating with the wrist. 
The fine fur is brown on the back and cream- 
colored on the under surface. It is common 
over a wide range of territory. It is noctur¬ 
nal in its habits, is easily tamed, and forms 
a most amusing pet during the evening 
hours, though capable of much mischief if 
allowed to run loose. The Black Squirrel, 
No. 6, is a little larger than the Migratory 
Gray and its black variety, and has softer fur. 
Its range is much the same, though it is not 
so common. No. 7 is the Douglas Squirrel, 
which is one-fourth larger than the Common 
Red, to which it is closely related; it is dark- 
