26 RODENTS OF IOWA 



cases it makes its nest in a hole in the ground and in perhaps equally 

 rare cases it constructs a nest of leaves and twigs among the 

 branches of trees. Although it does not hibernate in winter, it is 

 not active during severe weather; when the temperature has mod- 

 erated somewhat, even though the ground is covered with snow, 

 it comes out as usual. 



Usually four or five young are produced at a single birth; they 

 are bom in April. 



The red squirrel may be classed as an almost omnivorous feeder, 

 but it is seldom so abundant in any locality as to cause serious 

 damage to stored food or grain. In places where it is abundant, 

 it may make rare attacks on cornfields which are planted along the 

 edges of woods, but the writer has heard of no damage of this sort 

 in the state. Among the kinds of food of which it is particularly 

 fond may be mentioned acorns, nuts of various kinds, wild fruits 

 and berries, mushrooms and insects; birds' eggs and sometimes 

 even their young are eaten. Many other things might be included 

 in the list. In autumn this squirrel stores away quantities of 

 acorns, nuts, seeds, etc., for use during the winter and in some 

 localities it is reported to have carried off the stores and food of 

 both the fox squirrel and the gray squirrel. 



Wliile this form is found more particularly in the eastern half 

 of the state, its distribution is not thus limited ; for it may be 

 met with in almost every wooded area of any size within the borders 

 of the state. Towards the south it seems to be much less common 

 and here the wooded areas are also much less limited in extent. 

 Among the definite locality records may be mentioned Clear Lake, 

 Knoxville, Iowa City, Lake Okoboji, Charles City, Atlantic, See 

 also the map on page 24. 



The Minnesota chickaree (Sciurus hudsomcus minnesota Allen), 

 formerly considered a valid geographical race has now been proved 

 to be only a lighter color phase of the red squirrel and hence is not 

 included in this paper. 



CHIPMUNK. STRIPED CHIPMUNK. 



Ttiimias striatus striatus (Linnaeus). 



[Sciurus'] striattis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., X ed., I, 64, 1758. 

 Description. — -Upper parts rusty brown with flanks and limbs 

 pale yellowish brown; deep chestnut rufous on the rump; back 



