Mammals of the District of Columbia. 95 



of traps among the rocks I did not see a live one. A few low chr-r-r-r-s 

 were heard, chestnut shells were found on logs and rocks, and one unfor- 

 tunate squirrel got his neck in a trap I had set under the rocks for a 

 Neotoma. Mr. Preble tells me they are common at Marshall Hall, and I 

 have several times heard them in the swamj^s near Hj^attsville. 



Sciurus carplinensis. Gray Squirrels range up to the edge of the city 

 wherever there is timber, and sometimes wander into the city parks. ]\Ir. 

 Preble saw one in the Smitlisonian grounds in 1S94. I have seen them 

 back of Mt. Pleasant and on the east side of Rock Creek, just above Con- 

 necticut Avenue bridge. They are not uncommon tlirougliout the exten- 

 sive forest area of the Zoological, Rock Creek, and Woodley parks. In 

 the grounds of tlie Soldiers' Home they are abundant and unusually tame. 

 They are common at Mt. Vernon and Marshall Hall and along the Vir- 

 ginia side of the Potomac above Georgetown, but except in the parks 

 where protected from hunters they are exceedingly shy and rarely seen! 

 The extensive areas of native forest, with old hollow walnut, butternut, 

 hickory, chestnut, beech, and oak trees, offer a paradise of safe retreats 

 and abundant food for squii'rels, and as long as the.se forest areas remain, 

 so will the furry-coats. 



Sciurus cinereus. Fox Squirrels are not common in the immediate 

 vicinitj' of Washington, but many are shipped to Center Market from 

 points in Virginia 30 or 40 miles west of the city, and in Dr. Merriani's 

 collection are several specimens from Laurel, Md. 



Tamias striatus. Chipmunks are scai'ce in the immediate vicinity of 

 the city, probably owing to the cats, dogs, and boys. I have seen a few 

 in the Zoological Park and the Soldiers' Home grounds, and lately caught 

 one and heard others on the west side of the Potomac, above Chain 

 Bridge. Mr. Preble has found them rather conunon at Mt. Vernon. 

 Dr. Fisher reports them from Munson Hill and Arlington, Va. ; Sligo, 

 Piney Branch, Silver Springs, and Sandy Springs, Md. 



Arctomys monax. Woodchucks are still common on both sides of 

 the Pi>tomac River above Chain Bridge and on High Island and the little 

 island just above, to which Dr. Merriam has given the appropriate name 

 ' Woodt'huck Island.' Six or seven years ago Dr. Fisher found them a 

 couple of miles lower down on the cliffs on the west side of the river be- 

 low Chain Bridge and on the flats on the east side between the river and 

 canal. I have lately taken several on High Island and on the west side 

 of the river opposite. Most of the burrows are located among rocks on 

 the islands and on the steep slopes and cliffs of the river hills. On High 

 Island there are several old breeding dens, regular strongholds, between 

 and under the rocks. Woodchucks are said to be more common fiirther 

 up the river, and I was told of a place where one lives near the east end 

 of Chain Bridge. 



Mas musculus. House Mice are numerous throughout the city and 

 about buildings in the surrounding country. Some have taken up their 

 residence in the woods and fields and along old fences and stone walls. 



