SQUIEEELS, MAEMOTS AND PIKAS. 



77 



respectively from the nose, above, through and below the eye, the 

 space between being of a creamy white. The cheeks are buff and the 

 throat creamy- white. Five dark stripes, which vary from a rich brown 

 to black according to the species, extend down the back, the interven- 

 ing spaces being occupied with white or light grey. All the stripes 

 merge into a light chestnut or raw sienna patch on the rump. The 

 flanks are ochraceous, the belly light buff. The long bushy tail is 

 ochraceous down the middle, edged with black, the long hairs beiiag 

 tipped with white. As already indicated chipmunks have large cheek- 

 pouches in which they carry the proceeds of their foraging expeditions. 

 They are excessively lively and active ; are diurnal in their habits, and 

 unlike any of the foregoing species, go into retirement for the winter. 



The Chipmunk (Eutamias asiaticus scnesccns). 



They make a peculiar chirping noise, which is very hard to locate, 

 seeming to come from all parts of the compass at once. 



When the wild apricots are on, these little creatures climb the 

 trees for the fruit, and can easily be caught with cunningly set snares, 

 made by the natives out of horse hair. When taken young they 

 make splendid pets, but adult males are inclined to be savage, and can 

 bite very severely. One which I brought from Kansu, and which had 

 been kept in captivity ever since it could eat, grew so fierce that it 

 would attack human beings, and climbing up their clothes try to 

 bite their hands and face. It was kept in an empty room, and 



