TAMIAS STRIATUS. 237 



squirrels, a group that is largely represented in our western States 

 and Territories. The Chipmunk establishes his head-quarters in 

 some log or stump, or in a hole excavated by himself in the earth, 

 generally among the roots of a tree. He is partial to brush-heaps, 

 wood-piles, stonewalls, rail fences, accumulations of old rubbish, and 

 other places that afford him a pretty certain escape, and at the 

 same time enable him to see what is transpiring outside. For, 

 though by no means wary, he delights in these loosely sheltered 

 hiding-places where he can whisk in and out at will, peep unobserv- 

 ed at passers-by, and dart back when prudence demands. If sud- 

 denly surprised he utters a sharp c/iip'-per, r, r, r, and makes a 

 quick dash for his retreat, which is no sooner reached than, simul- 

 taneously with the disappearance of his tail, out pops his head, 

 his keen dark eyes gazing intently at the source of alarm. If not 

 pursued farther he is very apt to advance toward the supposed 

 enemy, betraying his excitement by a series of nervous starts and 

 precipitous retreats, till finally, making a bold rush, he dashes by 

 the object of his dread and in another instant is peering out from 

 a hole beneath the roots of a neighboring tree. 



Though a very inquisitive creature, this habit does not seem to 

 be attributable to curiosity alone, but rather to the same reckless 

 foolhardiness that prompts the small boy to cross and recross the 

 road in front of a swiftly advancing carriage or locomotive. 



With us the Chipmunk is not ordinarily given to climbing trees. 

 But when at play he often runs part way up the trunks, and when 

 pursued by man or clog and unable to reach his hole, he does not 

 hesitate to take refuge in the topmost branches. Still, he is ill at 

 ease there, apparently becoming giddy on attaining a little height, 

 and often commences the descent while his pursuers are yet watch- 

 ing him from the ground beneath. This unfortunate habit has cost 

 many a Chipmunk his life, and gave origin, in my younger days, 

 to an effective method of hunting them. With the aid of a small 

 dog the poor animal was readily " treed," and the clog soon learned 



