172 



NOTKS ON CALIFOUNIA ANIMALS. 



pino belt. In the region about lied Bhiff it was especiall.v immerons ; 

 whether cue went along the roads thiougli the tields, or along the 

 streams, he was sure of tiuding this omnipresent Spermophile. It not 

 only makes itsburrows around the orchards and along the fences through 

 the wheat Uelds, but gathers in colonies or lives solitary in places far 

 distant from the tilled lauds. In places where its burrows are numer- 

 ous, a pair or more of burrowing owls may be found, which, having no 

 ])rairie dogs to dig lioles for them, are compelled to depend ui)on it for 

 their habitations. 



This animal may hibernate to a certain extent, but as snow rarely 

 falls in the Upper Sacramento Valley and never lies more than a few 

 hours when it does, its hibernation is imi)erfect. The large proportion 

 of mild <lays renders it possible for the animal to apjiear at any time. I 

 was not in the valley during January and February, but in December 

 and March the only indii^ations of liibernation were its decreased num- 

 bers. 



Douglass's Si ermophlle is a destructive animal to growing crops, and 

 although under the ban of agriculturists seems to maintain its exist- 

 ence in spite of all poisons that may be employed against it. 



Spermophilus grammurus Beecheyi (Rioli.). CaViforn'mn Lined-failed Spn-mophilc. 



As is weinvnowii, the preceding northern variety, Doiit/lafisi, and the 

 present southern variety, Beecheyi, meet and intergrade in Northern 

 California. 



Although my own specimens of Spermophilus (/rammurus are probably 

 ail referable to the former, Die latter is certainly entitled to a place in 



