ROCK SQUIRREL 



from October to March. "Ground-hog Day," — February 

 2nd — takes its name from the supposition that the Ground- 

 hog comes out for its first peep at weather conditions, to see 

 if the sun is shining. The reasoning whereby the sight of its 

 shadow drives the animal back for an additional six weeks' 

 sleep is probably that an open, warm February means a late, 

 cold spring! 



In the Rocky Mountain region one finds the larger, gray 

 Woodchucks, the Hoary Marmots, which live at high eleva- 

 tions. These Woodchucks, or Rock-chucks as they are some- 

 times called, live in the huge masses of slide-rock and are quite 

 different in appearance from the monax and flaviventer forms. 

 They have a loud, piercing whistle and are ever on the alert, 

 seldom permitting a close approach. Their eyesight is keen, 

 for they must be on the lookout not only for four-footed 

 enemies, but for the large birds of prey. 



Woodchucks are not very often eaten by man, but are, 

 nevertheless, well flavored and deserving of more attention! 

 Old or very fat animals would not fall into this category. 



The fur of some of the Old World Marmots figures as quite 

 an item in the fur trade, but skins of American species do not 

 seem to have been much exploited, although the fur of the 

 northern species is not unattractive. 



Genus Otospermophilus 



Dentition: Incisors, {; Canines, g ; Premolars, f ; Molars, | = 22 



Rock Squirrel.— Otospermophilus grammurus 



and related forms 

 Names.— Rock Squirrel; Canyon Squirrel; Gray Squirrel; 

 Ground Squirrel; Digger. 



General Description.— A large grayish or brownish Squirrel, 

 of terrestrial habits, with a long and moderately bushy tail.' 

 Size about as in the true Gray Squirrels; ears rather small j 

 tail long, flat and bushy, but considerably narrower than the 

 tails of the arboreal Squirrels; first upper premolar small and 

 peg-like. 



Color.— Sexes colored alike; seasonal variation not 

 conspicuous. 



Upperparts.- Grizzled gray, brown and dusky, grayest 

 on shoulders, upper back and sides, brownest on rump to 



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