Richardson Ground-squirrel 387 



The chamber was 9 by 9 inches by 6 inches high, the lining 

 was of grass and oat hulls, about two inches thick, and reaching 

 well up the walls. I examined it carefully and found no dung 

 of owners or Mice, and no insects; it was thoroughly clean, 

 but not dry or warm. I do not think it was in use this year. 



We found no nest in this. Evidently it was too early for 

 the family. (See Fig. 120.) 



The burrow of the Yellow Ground-squirrel can always be 

 distinguished from those of the other two by its size, having a 

 calibre of about three inches, by the ever-increasing mound at 

 the door, and by the fact that it rarely goes straight down, but 

 is usually on a side bank and goes in at an angle; evidently, 

 from the nature of the output, it reaches a considerable depth. 



The young are born about the middle of May. Prenatal young 

 counting in eight cases showed the number to be 11, 7, 7, 7, 6, 

 6, 6, 6. 



About the end of June the young are one-third grown and 

 big enough to come out of the holes and make the acquaintance 

 of the sunlight. They now look much like their parents, 

 differing chiefly in being, smaller. 



At the entrance to each den from one to ten of the Squirrels 

 may be noted any bright day in late summer, and the scene in 

 the colony is of the liveliest description. Birds and beasts of 

 prey make the place a regular forage ground, and the farm boys 

 come with trap and snare to earn a little bounty money. The 

 growth of the young is rapid, and by September they are not to 

 be distinguished from the old ones in activity or appearance. 



But one litter is raised each year. 



AMENT 



When the thermometer is at 70 or 80 degrees the Ground- temper- 

 squirrel is in its glory, but it has no liking for very hot weather. 

 Whenever the temperature rises to or near the 90's the Ground- 

 squirrel hides below. It is, moreover, strictly diurnal; I never 

 saw one above ground before sunrise or after sunset. 



Although a winner in the ordinary struggle for existence, 

 this animal has not the spirit of either of its cousins. Once I 



