GROUND SQUIRREL. THIS pretty little animal, from its bearing some resemblance to the dormouse, not only in its external form, but also in its habits, was named by Pennant, the striped dormouse. It seems to be easily tamed; thus it is related of one which Mr. E. H. Greenhow had opportunities of observing, that it "played about, regardless of the persons to whom it was accustomed, but was always timid before strangers, skulking into a corner of its cage, and burying itself in some dry grass placed there for its bed. It had a very shrill whistling cry, which it repeated at intervals as it jumped against the wires in front of its cage. It was exceedingly nimble, and could get through very small crevices, frequently escaping by pressing asunder the wires, and on these occasions was very difficult to re-capture, but if allowed to run about the room for some time, would attempt to re-enter its cage of its own accord." Mr. Henry Doubleday says, "There are many ground squirrels in the woods. There is one so tame as to come into the house. He came to me a few days ago as I was sitting in the porch, and ran over my boots, examining them very attentively; then he disappeared through a grating into the dairy, where he goes to drink the milk; then he ran up the piazza, and round the house: he often steals almonds, etc., from our diningroom." Mr. R. E. Taylor says that the grey squirrel, black squirrel, ground squirrel, and red squirrel, which are 266 GROUND SQUIRREL. extremely numerous in the woods at the north-eastern extremity of the Alleghany Mountain range, "are eaten as great delicacies, particularly the two former species. On account of the great damage they do to the grain and corn, they are mercilessly destroyed, shooting-matches frequently taking place for this object. On June 8th., 1835, a match was decided between twenty men on each side, in Lycoming Valley, who, during three days, were to shoot the greatest number of squirrels and other destructive animals. At this meeting were produced two thousand six hundred and fifty-seven head of all denominations coming under this class. Nearly at the same time, in the adjoining county of Tioga, another squirrel-match took place. The winning side brought in no less than one thousand seven hundred and thirtytwo, and the losers produced one thousand and thirtyfive, squirrels, the total number being two thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven." |