WESTERN CHIPMUNK 



to attack and can not afford to take chances where the hazards 

 of the terrain are against them. On the other hand, the forest- 

 dwelling species, with avenues of escape at every turn, are 

 often bold, curious, and easily approached. They are also 

 most often heard calling or chattering. 



The call-note of the Western Chipmunk does not vary 

 greatly throughout the genus and the observer has no difficulty 

 in recognizing it whether he has ever seen that particular 

 species before or not. The alarm note is a sharp, high-pitched 

 chirp, generally given as a single note which may be frequently 

 repeated. In cases of extreme alarm the note may be re- 

 peated so rapidly as to almost run the syllables together. 

 Usually theie is some distinction between a scolding chirp 

 and one indicating unrestrained terror. Chipmunks call at 

 the appearance of an enemy, such as a hawk or man, and when 

 chasing one another. When a Chipmunk calls from some 

 vantage point,— a log, stump, or top of a bush,— the vocal 

 effort is accompanied by a nervous and energetic twitch of the 

 tail. 



The tail is habitually carried more or less extended and not 

 curved over the Ijack, as sometimes in the arboreal Squirrels. 

 When the animal is undisturbed and moving slowly, the tail 

 is slightly curved and extended, or at right angles to the 

 body; when he stops or sits up to eat, it may be drawn in a 

 closer curve at the side or toward the back. Some of the 

 plains Chipmunks carry the tail straight up at right angles 

 when fleeing in alarm. 



Chipmunks tame easily and make interesting pets. In 

 places where they come into contact with man and are not 

 molested, they very soon learn that they have little to fear, and 

 allow a very close approach. 



In most regions Chipmunks find an abundance of food in 

 seeds, berries, nuts, buds, etc., and during the warm months of 

 the year need not search long for a meal. They store food in 

 the internal cheek-pocket and carry it to burrows or holes in 

 the rocks, sometimes with such a quantity in the side of the 

 face as to cause a very obvious swelling. 



The Chipmunk makes its nest underground, burrowing into 

 the earth at the foot of a stump or beside a rock or log, and is 

 terrestrial in habit, although it climbs readily when pressed 

 by an enemy, and sometimes climbs up a short distance on 



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