THE JUMPING MOUSE. THE WOODCHUCK GENUS ARCTOMYS.-Geoffroy. 4 4 GENUS GEREILLUS.-Desmarest. Generic Characters.-Teeth, 16-Incis- Generic Characters.-Teeth 22-Incisors 2, no canines, grinders 3-3. The grindersors 2, no canines, grinders -. The incisors are tuberculous; the first with three, the second are very strong with the anterior surface rounded ; with two and the third with one tubercle. Head grinders furnished with ridges and tubercles. Body elongated; ears moderately long, rounded at the thick and heavy; head and eyes large; ears short; extremity; fore fect short with four toes and a paws strong; fore feet with four toes and a rudirudimentary thumb; hind feet long, having five mentary thumb; hind feet with five toes; nails toes with nails; each foot with a proper metatar-strong and compressed; tail generally short, hairy. sal bone; tail long, and more or less hairy. THE JUMPING MOUSE. THE WOODCHUCK. Arctomys monax.— -GMELIN. DESCRIPTION.-General color, grayish ferruginous brown, paler beneath and approaching to red between the legs; top of the head and nose brown; feet and nails black whiskers black and stiff, Gerbillus canadensis.-DESM. standing in three clusters on each side; DESCRIPTION.-General color, yellow- tail covered with long reddish brown hair. ish brown above, grayish yellow on the Length of the specimen before me from sides, and yellowish white on the belly; the nose to the insertion of the tail 16 tail tapering, longer than the body, sparse- inches; head 31⁄2 inches, body 13 inches, ly covered with very short hair, and the trunk of the tail 5 inches, with the hair tuft at the end very small; head small, nar-extending 1 inch beyond, fore legs 4 inchrow and pointed; fore legs very short; hindes, feet 2 inches; longest nail .6 inch ; legs very long; nails slender and sharp; ears moderate and covered on both sides with short hair; upper incisors grooved on the outside. Length of the specimen before me, from the nose to the insertion of the tail 4 inches, head 1 inch, body 3 inches,tail 5 inches, hind leg 2 inches,fore leg of an inch. hind legs 43 inches; feet 3 inches; largest nail 4 inch. Weight 5 lbs. This though an adult is not one of the largest size. HISTORY.-The Woodchuck is a common and well known animal in all parts of the state. They are found both in the woods and open fields, where they reside HISTORY.-This timid and active lit-in pairs or families, in holes (which they tle animal is frequently met with in the grain fields and meadows in all parts of the state. When not in motion it might be mistaken for a common field mouse; but its usual method of progression is very different. It sometimes runs on all its feet, but it more commonly moves by leaps on its hind legs, particularly when pursued. It will often clear five or six feet at a leap, and its leaps are made in such quick succession that it is not easily caught. On examination, it is found to differ considerably in form from the mouse, particularly in the great disproportion between the fore and hind legs, the latter being more than twice the length of the former. In this respect it resembles the kangaroo of Australasia, and the jerboa of the eastern continent. They pass the winter in a torpid state and are not usually out in the spring before June. dig in the ground. These holes are usually made beneath a large rock, or stump, or in the side of some dry bank, and are sometimes very extensive, consisting of several apartments with several openings. In these recesses they form their nests of dry leaves and grass in which they spend much of their time in sleep. Their food is entirely vegetable, of which they eat various kinds. They are particularly fond of clover and beans, and are occasionally injurious to the farmers by the extent of their depredations. When feeding they frequently rise upon their haunches to reconoitre, raising their fore feet like hands. In this position, when the weather is fine, they will sometimes sit for hours at the entrance of the holes, but they seldom venture far abroad in the day time. On the approach of cold weather they confine themselves to THE GRAY SQUIRREL. THE BLACK SQUIRREL· their holes by closing the passage be- | found in considerable numbers but less tween themselves and the surface of the plentifully at present than some of the ground and spend the winter, like bears, smaller species. This as well as some in a torpid state. of the other species, in some years, becomes exceedingly multiplied, and then, perhaps, for several years very few of The Woodchuck is a cleanly animal, is capable of being tamed, in which state it becomes playful and fond of attention. | them will be seen. This sudden increase It is a low-set, clumsy animal, and when the retreat to his hole is cut off, he will boldly face a dog in battle, and is fully a match for one of his own size. His bite, with his long and projecting incisors, is very severe. The female produces from four to six at a litter. The weight of a Woodchuck of the largest size in Vermont when fat is 10 or 11 pounds. Its flesh is sometimes eaten, but is not much esteemed. Sometimes called Ground Hog. 4 4 GENUS SCIURUS.-Linnæus. Generic Characters.-Teeth 22-Incisors 2, no canines, grinders 5.5. The upper in. cisors are flat in front and wedge-shape at the extremity, the lower are pointed and compressed laterally. The grinders are tubercular. Body small and elongated: bead small; ears erect eyes large; fore feet with four toes and a tubercle instead of a thumb; hind feet with five long tees, all furnished with long hooked nails; tail long and frequently shaggy; two pectoral and six ventral mammæ. THE GRAY SQUIRREL. Sciurus cinereus.-GMELIN. 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 was preceded by a productive summer. I believe it to be generally true that when one species becomes very plentiful, the others become so too. The Gray Squirrel prefers woods, which abound in oak, walnut, butternut and chestnut, because these furnish him with such food as he prefers. During the fall they collect a supply of food for the winter, which they carefully deposit in hollow trees or obscure recesses. Their nests which are built with sticks and lined with leaves, are usually placed in the forks of large and lofty trees, or in the hollows of old trees, and in these they spend most of their time during the winter, leaving them only to visit their depositories of food for the purpose of obtaining a supply. This is one of the most active and beautiful of our squirrels. It is easily tamed, and, in captivity, is remarkably playful, but rather disposed to be mischievous, often using its teeth to the injury of the furniture. About a century ago these squirrels were so troublesome in Pennsylvania that government granted a premium of 3d a head for their destruction, which in 1749, amounted to £8,000 sterling; from which it would appear the number killed in one year was about 1,280,000. THE BLACK SQUIRREL. Sciurus niger.-Linnæus. DESCRIPTION.-Top of the head, back, DESCRIPTION.-General color, gray tail and extremities of the feet, covered above and white beneath; sides of the with hair of a deep black color; throat, head and body, and the exterior of the legs, breast and belly brownish black, lighter reddish fawn mixed with gray; inside of on the flanks; ears short, black, and not the legs and thighs bluish white; tal pencilled; smaller and the tail proportionlarge and bushy, composed of hairs mark-ally shorter, and the fur softer than in the ed with zones alternately fawn and black, and tipped with white; ears without pencils, rounded and covered with very short hair; whiskers black, 2 inches long. Length of the specimen before me, from the nose to the insertion of the tail, 10 inches; tail, (trunk 94, tuft 2,) 111⁄2 inches. Weight 14 pound. HISTORY. According to Dr. Williams, the Gray Squirrel was formerly the most common squirrel in Vermont. It is still preceeding species. Length of the head and body about 8 inches. HISTORY.-The Black Squirrel is much less common in Vermont than the gray squirrel, particularly in the western parts, and is perhaps, frequently confounded with a blackish variety of the gray squirrel. Having obtained no specimen of this squirrel, I have copied, above, the description contained in Dr. Harlan's Fauna Americana. According to Dr. Will THE RED SQUIRREL. THE STRIPED SQUIRREL. iams our largest black squirrels weigh but | lastly, a reddish brown stripe; the throat, 2 lbs., while our largest gray squirrels weigh 3 lbs. THE RED SQUIRREL. Sciurus Hudsonius.-GMEL. DESCRIPTION.-Color, reddish gray a bove, and whitish beneath, with a dark line extending along each side, separating the color above from that below; eyes black; whiskers long and black; hairs of the tail cinerous at their base and then black, tipped with red on the upper side, and with yellow on the under. Length of the specimen before me, from the nose to the insertion of the tail, 7 inches; tail, (trunk 5, hair 1,) 6 inches. HISTORY.-This animal is every where known in Vermont by the name of Red Squirrel. They are much more common than either of the preceding species, and in some seasons they have multiplied so exceedingly as to be a great annoyance to the farmer, and do considerable damage by their depredations. They spend most of their time in the tops of trees, feeding upon nuts of various kinds, and upon the seeds contained in the burs of spruce and hemlock. Their nests are usually in the hollow of some old tree, and here they lay up for winter their store of provisions, often amounting to several gallons, and consisting of butternuts, beechnuts, acorns, and different kinds of grain. Their food in summer consists of grain, sweet apples, and different kinds of berries, as well as nuts. In the fall and early part of winter they of ten come around our barns, and purloin their subsistence from our granaries. This squirrel is often called the Chickaree, probably from its noisy chatter when alarmed. It is also called the Hudson, or Hudson Bay Squirrel. THE STRIPED SQUIRREL. Sciurus Striatus.-KLEIN. DESCRIPTION.-Top of the head dark reddish gray; eye-lids whitish; neck gray; back striped, having a black stripe | along the spine, then on each side a broad reddish gray stripe, then another black stripe, succeeded by a white stripe, and, belly, and inner surface of the legs, white; head tapering from the ears to the nose; forehead slightly convex; nose covered with short hairs, with a black spot near the extremity; ears short, rounded, and covered with very fine hair, which is reddish brown within; tail less bushy than in the preceding species, blackish above, and red beneath, bordered with gray. Length of the specimen before me, from the nose to the insertion of the tail, 6 inches; tail (trunk 34 in., tuft & in.) 4 inches. HISTORY.-The Striped Squirrel is more common in Vermont than either of the preceding species, and differs from them in being furnished with cheek pouches, in which it carries the food it collects, to its store-house. It also differs from the preceding in having its chief residence in the ground, while the others inhabit hollow trees, and hence it has received the name of Ground Squirrel. It is likewise frequently called the Chipmuck, or Chipping Squirrel, from its note; and it is also called in many places the Hackee. This squirrel is generally seen running along upon the lower rail of fences, or sitting upon stone walls or logs. When frightened they immediately retreat to their holes, which they enter with a peculiarly shrill chit-te-ric, indicative of safety, which is as much as to say, " catch me now if you can." When their retreat to their hole is cut off, they become much alarmed, and, in such cases, will sometimes ascend trees, but they betray much timidity, and will seldom go up more than 20 or 30 feet. Their burrows are by the side of stone walls, fences, or the roots of trees, and in places where their food is easily obtained. These burrows are often extensive, with two openings, at considerable distance from each other, and what is remarkable, is that the dirt which has been removed in making the excavation, is no where to be found. This squirrel retires to its burrow on the approach of cold weather, where it spends the winter, subsisting upon its stores of nuts and seeds, which it had carefully provided, and being seldom seen after the beginning of November, before the first of April. GENUS PTEROMYS.-Cuvier. Generic Characters.--Teeth 22-Incisors,, no canines, grinders, -2. Head round; ears short and rounded; eyes large; fore feet with four elongated toes, furnished with sharp nails and a rudimentary thumb, having an ob'use nail; hind feet with five long toes, much divided, THE FLYING SQUIRREL. and adapted for seizing; tail long, villose; skin of the sides extending from the anterior to the posterior extremities forming a kind of parachute. THE FLYING SQUIRREL. Pteromys volucella.-DESMAREST. DESCRIPTION.—General color, reddish gray above, yellowish white beneath; head large; nose rounded; eyes large, black, prominent, and far apart, and surrounded by a blackish ash color, with a white spot over each; ears broad, rounded, and nearly naked; whiskers black, two inches long; tail long, thickly covered with fine long fur, brown above,lighter beneath, and flattened; a bony appendage, about an inch long, proceeding from the wrist, and used in stretching the flying membrane. Length of the specimen before me, from the nose to the insertion of the tail, 6 inches; tail 5 inches; spread of the membrane, measured across the breast, 6 inches. THE HEDGE HOG they ascend, and proceed in like manner to another tree, thus passing to a considerable distance without coming to the ground. Their habits are nocturnal, and, unless disturbed, they seldom leave their nests in the day time. When this animal sleeps, it rolls itself up, and so wraps its large flat tail over its head and limbs as completely to conceal them, and give it the appearance of a simple ball of fur. The flying squirrel is often tamed as a pet, but is more admired on account of its singular form, soft fur, and gentle disposition, than for its sprightliness and.activity. GENUS HYSTRIX.-Linnæus. Generic Characters.-Teeth 20-Incisors, 25, no canines, grinders 4-4. The grinders have flat tops, but are furnished with ridges of enamel. Head strong and convex; muzzle thick and turned; ears short aud rounded; tongue furnished with spiny scales; fore feet, with four toes, and the rudiment of a thumb; hind feet covered with spines, intermixed with strong hair; with five toes; nails strong on all the feet; body tail more or less long, and sometimes prehensile. THE HEDGE HOG. terspersed with spines or quills, which HISTORY.-This interesting little animal is frequently met with, living in fam-ish black; hair rather long, thick, and inilies, in all parts of the State, but is never so greatly multiplied as some of the preceding species of squirrels. They usually inhabit the hollows of trees, and feed upon nuts, grains, seeds and buds. Their wings are not calculated for rising in the air and flying in the manner of bats and birds. Consisting only of an extension of the skin of the flanks, they form only a kind of parachute, by which they are sup-back 14. ported for a while in the air, and are thus enabled to sail from one tree to another at a distance of several rods. In proceeding through the forests, they first ascend high upon a tree, and, leaping off in the direction of another tree, and at the same time spreading their wings, they are enabled to sail, while descending, to a considerable distance, and to alight on the tree designated, near the ground. This HISTORY.-The Hedge Hog was originally very common in Vermont, but is now confined principally to the mountainous and woody parts, where it is still found in considerable numbers. This animal is remarkable, principally, on account of the quills or spines, which are intermingled with the hair, on nearly all parts of its body; and as he runs very badly, and is moderate and awkward in all his move THE AMERICAN RABBIT. ments, he relies mostly upon his quills for defence and safety. When his enemy approaches, if allowed sufficient time, he will generally retreat to a fissure among the rocks, or take refuge in the top of a tree, which he ascends with facility; but, if overtaken, he places his head between his fore legs, draws his body into a globular form, and erects his barbed spines, which now project in all directions. In this condition they defy the attack of all enemies but man. The fox, the wolf and the dog attempt to seize him only to be severely wounded in the nose and mouth by the sharp projecting quills. These quills, being barbed at the extremity, and adhering in the wound, are detached from the owner, and by their rankling, and by penetrating deeper and deeper, not only discourage the attack of the assailant, but very often occasion his death. The vulgar notion that this animal has the power of projecting or shooting his quills at his assailant, is with out a shadow of foundation. The quills of the Hedge Hog are highly prized by the aborigines on all parts of the continent, and are used by them in various ways as ornaments of their dresses, pipes and war instruments. For this purpose they are dyed of several rich and permanent colors, cut into short pieces, strung upon threads or sinews, and then wrought into various forms and figures upon their belts, buffalo robes, moccasins, &c., and in these operations they manifest considerable ingenuity and a great deal of patient perseverance. DESCRIPTION.-Color, above grayish fawn, varied with blackish brown and reddish; more red about the shoulders than elsewhere; a whitish spot before the eyes and another behind the cheeks; breast and belly white; feet reddish before with the point of the foot fawn color; upper part of the tail the color of the back, beneath white, fur on the body white in winter, but the ears and tail are of the same gray color summmer and winter. Length 14 inches, head 31⁄2 ears 21, tail 2 inches. HISTORY. This animal though strictly a Hare has acquired very generally in this country the name of Rabbit. Indeed the name of Rabbit is not only applied to this species,but also to the following, and this is distinguished by the appellation of Gray rabbit, on account of its not becoming so white in the winter as the other. This is the most common species of hare throughout the United States, and is also one of the most prolific species. It produces its The Hedge Hog is a solitary, sluggish young three or four times in the course animal, seldom venturing to much dis- of the year and has from from five to sevtance from his retreat among the rocks. en at a birth. This animal has been supTheir food consists of fruits of different posed to form burrows in the earth like kinds, roots, herbs, and the bark and buds the European Rabbit, but this is probably of trees. Their flesh is sometimes eaten, a mistake. It is true they are sometimes and is esteemed by the Indians as the found in burrows, but it is believed to be greatest luxury. They have three or four only in cases in which they have taken refyoung at a litter, and their period of ges-uge in the holes of foxes or woodchucks. ation is said to be 40 days. The Hedge log or American Porcupine, when full grown and fat, weighs about 16 pounds. ors 4 21 GENUS LEPUS.-Linnæus. 55 THE VARYING HARE. Lepus virginianus.-HARLAN. DESCRIPTION.—. -General color, in its summer dress, reddish brown, darkest Generic Characters.-Teeth, 23-Incis- along the back, lighter about the shouldno canines, grinders 3-5. The upper in-ers, and passing into white on the belly. cisors are placed in pairs, two wedge-shaped Hairs on the upper parts bluish at their with a longitudinal furrow in front, and two smal-base, then light reddish yellow, and tipler ones intermediately behind; the under incisors ped with black. Chin and ears bluish square, grinders with flat crowns and transverse laminæ of enamel. Head rather large; ears long; eyes large, projecting laterally; fore feet with five toes; hind feet with four very long toes; all the toes armed with moderate sized nails. which are slightly arched; bottoms of the feet white mixed with reddish brown, the latter margined exteriorly, towards the tip, with black,and slightly edged with white; orbits surrounded by reddish fawn; flanks tinged with orange; sides of the feet whitish; soles covered with long hair of a |