McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0C9
Western Fox Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
Item
1 watercolour painting ; 56 x 39 cm + 1 leaf
Peter Paillou was born in London into a Huguenot family and was recognised in his own time as an eminent ‘bird painter’. In 1744 he began to paint for Taylor White and worked for him for almost thirty years, painting chiefly birds and mammals. He painted as well for Robert More, Joseph Banks, and for the Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant. Many of his paintings of birds were used as the basis for book illustrations, often engraved by his colleague and fellow Huguenot, Peter Mazell. Paillou was elected to the Society of Artists and in 1763 he exhibited ‘A Piece of Birds, in Watercolours; the Hen of the Wood and Cock of the Red Game’. In 1778, to considerable approval, he also showed a picture of ‘A Horned Owl from Peru’, completely made from feathers.
Drawing of an Eastern Fox Squirrel from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: the United States, Canada, and Northern Europe.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Manuscript note on front of drawing: Western Fox Squirrel (Sciurus rufirentes)
Manuscript note on back of drawing: Sciurus virginianus dorso griseo pedibus & ventre nigris, cauda striata from virginia
Scientific name: Sciurus niger
With manuscript text on accompanying leaf.
Transcription of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Mammalia Glires Sciurus
5 Virginianus
Sciurus virginianus dorso griseo
pedibus & ventre nigris
cauda striata.
Habitat in America Virginiae.
The Virginian Grey Squirell
with a Black Belly & Feet.
Com[m]only called the Fox squirrel
This is not described
Vol 6 N 25
Translation of manuscript note on accompanying leaf: Mammalia Glires Sciurus
5 Virginianus
Sciurus virginianus with a grey back,
black feet and stomach,
and a striped tail.
It lives in American Virginia.
The Virginian Grey Squirell
with a Black Belly and Feet.
Com[m]only called the Fox squirrel
This is not described
Vol 6 N 25