R 18 British CoLtuMBIA. 1921 


on Vancouver Island during the first three weeks of July no young ones of M. vancouverensis — 
had yet emerged from the burrows.” 
Laying up no store of food for winter use, all species of these marmots hibernate and become 
dormant during winter for a period of from four to six months, hibernating from the middle 
of September or October until the middle or latter part of March. Some of the yellow-footed 
species have been known to retire as early as the middle of August, when weather is genial and 
food abundant, the dates varying with the altitude and local condition, those individuals living 
in the valleys denning up earlier than those living higher up the mountains; in mild winters 
they occasionally appear at the mouth of their burrows in February, but re-enter their burrows 
and again become dormant if the temperature falls. 
Of extinct and allied forms we know little. Remains of extinct species of Susliks oceur in 
the higher Tertiary rocks of Europe, and the Upper Eocene beds of France produce evidence of 
an extinct but apparently allied genus known as Plesispermophilus. More primitive are the 
forms described as Plesiarctomys, which, while showing certain resemblances both to the marmots 
and squirrels, are found in the middle Tertiary deposits both of Europe and North America. 
Species known to British Columbia. 
Marmota monaxr canadensis (Erxleben). Type locality given as Quebec, Canada. Distribu- 
tion, greater part of interior of Canada from Great Slave Lake and York Factory, south to 
Southern Alberta (Red Deer), Central Saskatchewan (Cumberland House), Northern Wisconsin 
and Michigan, Central Ontario, Southern Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. 
“A single young specimen in very worn pelage from near the head of Finlay River, British 
Columbia, seems referable to canadensis, but with more material from this region may necessitate 
its reference to ochracea.” (A. H. Howell.) 
Marmota monax petrensis (British Columbia Woodchuck). Type from Revelstoke, British 
Columbia; collected May 12th, 1890, by W. Spreadborough. Distribution, interior ranges of 
Southern British Columbia and adjacent parts of United States; from Barkeryille, British 
Columbia, south to Thompson Pass, Idaho. Specimens identified from Barkerville; Glacier; 
Revelstoke. 
Marmota monax ochracea Swarth (Ochraceous Woodchuck). Type locality, head of 40-Mile 
Creek, Alaska. Distribution, interior mountain ranges of Yukon and Northern British Columbia 
from 40-Mile Creek south to the Babine Mountains. Specimens identified from Babine mountains; 
Pike River, Atlin; Takla Lake. A short series of skulls without skins from Stuart Lake is 
provisionally referred to this race. 
Two museum specimens, Nos. 247 and 248, collected at Pike River, Atlin, July 29th, 1914, 
and identified as this species by Mr. A. H. Howell, Biological Survey, Washington, show two 
varying phases—No. 247, an immature female, being very dark blackish brown all over, with 
the exception of a few greyish hairs on nostrils and lower lip. Indians and whites who are well 
acquainted with this locality state that whole colonies of marmots of this colour haye been 
observed by them. The other, No. 248, also an immature female, is a pale reddish cinnamon 
tipped with a-very pale reddish buff, giving it a bicolour appearance; under-parts cinnamon 
rufous. With such phases occurring it is very desirable to have a large series of skins with 
skulls from this particular locality. 
According to Mr. Howell in his revision of the genus, published in 1915, ‘“‘ Melanism is most 
strongly developed in the subspecies Marmota caligata vigilis, occupying the region around 
Glacier Bay, Alaska, and that no purely black specimens of M. monaz have been seen, but a 
melanistic phase is rather common in New York and New England.” 
Marmota flaviventris avara Bangs (Pallid Yellow-bellied Marmot). Type _ locality, 
Okanagan, British Columbia. Distribution, interior valleys and foot-hills of Southern British 
Columbia and Eastern Washington and Oregon. Specimens identified from Ashcroft; Cascade; 
Midway; Nicola Valley; Okanagan; Penticton; Vernon. 
Marmota caligata caligata (Eschscholtz) (Northern Hoary Marmot). Type locality, Bristol 
Bay, Alaska. Distribution, Alaska and Yukon from the Portland Canal, north on the coast to 
Bristol Bay, and in the interior to the Endicott Range and the mountains lying westward of 
Fort Good Hope, Mackenzie. Specimens identified from Bennett; Cheonee Mountains; Atlin. 
Marmota caligata orytona Hollister (Robson Hoary Marmot). Type locality, head of Moose 
Pass, branch of Smoky River, Alberta; altitude, 7,200 feet. Distribution. interior of Northern 

