338 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



COLOUR On the nape, shoulders, back, and upper surface of the tail 



it is a dark pepper-and-salt, tinged with chestnut on the 

 head and changing to clear orange brown on rump, thighs, and 

 root of tail. On its back it has five stripes, which are so deep a 

 brown as to pass for black. The central one, the thinnest, 

 beginning at the crown, between the ears, as a deep chestnut, 

 becomes black just behind the shoulders and fades in the pale 

 chestnut of the rump; the other four are in pairs on each side, 

 from shoulder to hip, separated by a strip of pale buffy-white. 

 The eye is in a dark streak with a whitish one above and 

 another below. The cheek is fawn colour with a dark streak 

 across it, and fading into white on the throat. 



The flanks generally, the feet, and under side of the tail 

 are pale fawn colour; inside the legs and all below, pure white. 

 The tail has a black fringe or border with white tips. 



The female is similar. 



In its native surroundings its black stripes, rich colours, 

 and lively habits identify it easily. 



The four races of striatus maybe briefly characterized thus: 



striatus Linn., the typical form, with a general chest- 

 nut tinge, especially on the flanks. 



griseus Mearns, a larger, paler, and grayer form. 



lysteri Rich., like striatus, but larger and paler, with 

 rump and thighs yellowish red, instead of 

 chestnut. 



venustus Bangs, a large bright-coloured form, with 

 shortened stripes. 



Life-history. 



RANGE Its distribution in Manitoba is that of an eastern species 



that is spreading north-westward. It is abundant about 

 Ingolf; also, I am told, at Kenora. Dr. E. Coues collected 4 

 specimens at Pembina; and I found it plentiful along the Red 

 River down at least to lower Fort Garry. I have a specimen 



