most plentiful. Indeed it is
asserted that some of the other species, as the "black squirrel"
(_Sciurus niger_), disappear from districts where the grey squirrels
become numerous--as the native rat gives place to the fierce "Norway."

The true fox squirrel (_Sciurus vulpinus_) differs essentially from the
"cat," which is also known in many States by the name of fox squirrel.
The former is larger, and altogether a more active animal, dashing up to
the top of a pine-tree in a single run. The cat-squirrel, on the
contrary, is slow and timid among the branches, and rarely mounts above
the first fork, unless when forced higher by the near approach of its
enemy. It prefers concealing itself behind the trunk, dodging round the
tree as the hunter advances upon it. It has one peculiarity, however,
in its mode of escape that often saves it, and disappoints its pursuer.
Unless very hotly pursued by a dog, or other swift enemy, it will not be
treed until it has reached the tree that contains its nest, and, of
course, it drops securely into its hole, bidding defiance to whatever
enemy--unless, indeed, that enemy chance to be the pine-martin, which is
capable of following it even to the bottom of its dark tree-cave.

Now most of the other squirrels make a temporary retreat to the nearest
large tree that offers. This is often without a hole where they can
conceal themselves, and they are therefore exposed to the small shot or
rifle-bullet from below.

It does not always follow, however, that they are brought down from
their perch. In very heavy bottom timber the squirrel often escapes
among the high twigs, even where there are no leaves to conceal it, nor
any hole in the tree. Twenty shots, and from good marksmen too, have
been fired at a single squirrel in such situations, without bringing it
to the ground, or seriously wounding it! A party of hunters have often
retired without getting such game, and yet the squirrel has been
constantly changing place, and offering itself to be sighted in new
positions and attitudes!

The craft of the squirrel on these occasions is remarkable. It
stretches its body along the upper part of a branch, elongating it in
such a manner, that the branch, not thicker than the body itself, forms
almost a complete shield against the shot. The head, too, is laid
close, and the tail no longer erect, but flattened along the branch, so
as not to betray the whereabouts of the animal.

Squirrel-shootin