STRIPED SPERMOPHILE 35 



has been found very effective. The trap should be chained to a 

 stake or heavy object and set at the mouth of a burrow; it should 

 be covered lightly with fine earth, and inay be baited with almost 

 any kind of grain although the bait is not essential. The guillotine 

 traps of which there are many kinds on the market are also well 

 suited to this purpose since they kill instantly. Rolled oats or 

 almost any kind of grain may be used as bait. 



For poisoning, the formula given under the discussion on the 

 prairie dog (p. 42) is very effective against spermophiles. A 

 teaspoonful of the poisoned oats should be placed near each 

 spermophile hole on the hard ground, letting it scatter somewhat 

 as it falls. Early spring, as soon as the animals are out of hiber- 

 nation and when the vegetation is not far along is the best time 

 to poison the animals. 



Another poison formula which has been successfully employed 

 in the West may be added here : 



Whole corn 16 quarts 



Strychnin (alkaloid powdered) 1 ounce 



Saccharin 1 teaspoonful 



Flour % pint 



Salt 1 pint 



Water .1 quart 



Dissolve the saccharin and, strychnin in the amount of water 

 called for, add the flour and salt, mix thoroughly with an egg- 

 beater and heat until the flour begins to thicken, stirring con- 

 stantly Pour the poison solution over the grain and mix thor- 

 oughly, then spread and dry. 



Follow the above directions closely, for success in the use of 

 the formula depends upon accuracy in the preparation of the 

 poison solution and upon the complete coating of the grain. A 

 half dozen kernels will suffice for each burrow and experiments 

 have shown that not more than one or two kernels are required 

 to kill an animal. 



Caution. — Do not put the poisoned grain where stock, birds, or 

 children will have access to it. 



Fumigation by means of carbon bisulphid is also an effective 

 and cheap method of combating these animals. Carbon bisulphid 

 is a colorless liquid with a peculiarly offensive odor and is a' 

 violent poison when taken internally. Its use in fumigation de- 

 pends upon the fact that it evaporates rapidly, giving off a poi- 

 sonous vapor which is heavier than air. For this purpose the 



