Fig. 92. Distribution of flying squirrel in Washington. A. Glaucomys sabrinus oregonensis. B. Glaucomys sabrinus fuliginosus. C. Glaucomys sabrinus columbiensis. D. Glaucomys sabrinus latipes. E. Glaucomys sabrinus bangsi.
Only once have I heard the voice of a flying squirrel. Near Dewey Lake, Yakima County, the squirrels were unusually abundant in the black hemlock and Douglas fir forests of the mountain sides. Here a birdlike twittering note caught my attention and occasional dark, sailing shapes were glimpsed against the clear sky. Eight traps set in the afternoon and visited at 11 p. m. held two flying squirrels. In the morning another was in a trap. Seemingly the squirrels are active most of the night.
The food consists principally of conifer seeds and probably other nuts, seeds, and fruit. They eat the meat bait of traps set for fur bearers and probably eat the eggs of birds.
Glaucomys sabrinus oregonensis (Bachman)
Pteromys oregonensis Bachman, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 8:101, 1839.
Sciuropterus alpinus oregonensis [Rhoads], Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, p. 324, June, 1897.
Sciuropterus alpinus olympicus [Elliot], Field Columb. Mus. Publ. 30, zoöl. ser., 1:225, February 1, 1899 (type from Happy Lake, Clallam County, Washington).
Glaucomys sabrinus oregonensis [Howell], N. Amer. Fauna, 44:44, June 13, 1918.
Glaucomys sabrinus olympicus [Howell], N. Amer. Fauna, 44:49, June 13, 1918.