GRAY CHIPMUNK 27 



with five black stripes, the median one bordered by chestnut 

 brown ; a yellowish white stripe on either side of the back separat- 

 ing the two lateral black .stripes; under parts white or whitish; 

 tail rufous margined with black. 



Measurements. — Total length, 9.60 inches; tail vertebra?, 3.75 

 inches; hind foot, 1.25 inches. 



This is one of the smaller members of the family and is further 

 characterized by the flattened and only slightly bushy tail, the 

 striped back and the chestnut rufous rump ; it is also smaller than 

 its nearest ally, T. s. griseus. 



It is probable that many records of this species in the state 

 may be referred to the following form and that the two have been 

 often confused. The exact status of these forms is not yet defi- 

 nitely knovm. In habits and general characteristics the present 

 form is very like T. s. griseus. A single specimen in the Coe Col- 

 lege Museum, collected at Traer, June 23, 1902, and another col- 

 lected at Iowa City are the only two definite locality records 

 which are available. Reports from different parts of the state 

 indicate that "chipmunks" are becoming less common; and this,^ 

 no doubt, is due to the clearing of many of the timbered areas 

 for agricultural purposes. Damage from this or the following 

 species has not been reported. 



GRAY CHIPMUNK. GRAY STRIPED CHIPMUNK. 



Tamias striatus griseus Meams. 



Tamias striaius griseus Meams, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., Ill, 

 231, 1891. 



Description. — Very similar to Tamias striatus striatus but grayer 

 and larger ; lower back and rump cinnamon brown ; back with five 

 black stripes between which the color is distinctly gray; under 

 surface of tail paler and the hairs of the tail tipped with gray. 



Measurements. — Total length, 10.25 inches; tail vertebra, 415 

 inches; hind foot, 1.45 inches. 



This form varies somewhat in color and in measurements, those 

 indicated above being the average, and variations of a half 

 inch above or below those given may occur. It may be distin- 

 guished from the preceding form by its larger size and by the 

 darker color of the rump. Intermediates are likely to be met 

 with, particularly in northeastern Iowa, but most of the Iowa 

 specimens seem to be referable to T. s. griseus. 



