RODENTIA—SCIURINAE—SPERMOPHILUS GRAMMURUS. 309 
SPERMOPHILUS DOUGLASSII. 
Columbia Ground Squirrel. 
Arctomys Spermophilus douglassii, Riou. F. B. A. I, 1829, 172. 
Spermophilus douglassii, F. Cuvier, Suppl. Buff. I, Mamm. 1831, 333. 
Waaner, Suppl. Schreb. III, 1843, 247. 
Spermophilus douglassii, Aup. and Bacu. N. Am. Quad. I, 1849, 373; pl. xlix. 
Otospermophilus douglassii, BRanpt, Bull. Phys. Math. Acad. St. Pet. II, 1844, 380. 
Sp. Cu.—Similar in most all respects to S. beecheyi, but with the space on the nape and back, between the light colored 
more lateral patches, of a uniform dark brown, nearly black. 
A sphermophile from the Columbia river differs from the S. beecheyi, as described from 
California, in some important points, the comparison being with six specimens from the latter 
locality. The tail is shorter and much less bushy, the hairs being laid quite close down, as in 
the small spermophiles, instead of approximating to the bushy form of the squirrels. The 
under side of the tail is more densely haired. It is more hoary above and below, and the hairs 
show conspicuously only a distinct ring of black near the base and the hoary tip; the interme- 
diate dark rings being very faint. The hoary marks on the sides of the neck and shoulders 
show much more gray than the other species, while the stripe between, instead of being nearly 
uniform in tint with the posterior portion of the back, is darker than this anteriorly, and in 
_its wider posterior half is uniformly and conspicuously brownish black without-any mottling. 
The hoary patch likewise extends more broadly posteriorly, covering a wide space, instead of 
being reduced to a narrow line behind the shoulder. The patch on the inner face of the ear is 
more restricted. The feet and claws appear longer in proportion. 
Additional specimens received from Oregon, since the preceding description was prepared, 
substantiate the characters assigned as distinguishing a northern species. The tails of these, 
however, are less compressed, and more like those of S. beecheyi, though apparently less ample. 
The ears do not appear so black. The soles vary from being entirely naked except on the heel 
in summer, to densely hairy to near the digital tubercles in winter. 
List of specimens. 
: é = 
5 Zz = x z Measurements. 
= to. £ 2 3) 
= l|ss| ¢ Localit 2 Whence obtained. g = Sa S 
9 |z2| 3 me 3 I pa a |Tailtoendof—| ° . Skull 
=n ay Zz 2 3 c so <= 
Sapes hg g sith ena BE 
melee. —\s4 2 Sailers 22 | verted.|Hairs.| 52 |Length.| width 
= é H 4 
8 |S | a ES Sojeeeye | as al ideal 
1005 }...... 3 | Fort Dalles, O. T...... Jan. 24,1855| Dr. G. Suckley, U.S. A.| 39 | Skin 12,00") 8.252 | 9.502) 2,00 |....cccsjecesasee 
999 |...... OO | easasatne ign esuadewauast< April 7,1855|......000+ Geirweats eapianns 52 |....do FOL 50%), FicDd* "| 95952). Secale ccs setsloccecss 
9D | reccea| ances Columbia river.......+-|seeeseee oe Phila. A. N. Se.....0:5 |easss- | Mounted.|.c0. 000 jeccecese|nccems|casces|ousunsee| seocees 
755 | 1881 |.....- Near Columbia river. .,|.-++se+eeeee Dr. J. Evans. o.e. cceece |e cvees SEIM occ0|.. ences. |seee ccc] ccccselecesce 2.47 1.51 
1180 | ..cces|eevees | Klamath lake, O. T....|eecseeeveres Lieut. R. S. Williamson,}...... we etdOcece|sseceeee G2 | 8.00 | cceccleceecees|eoeeccee 
U.S.A. 
+ Measured before skinning. 
