160 BULLETIN NO. VII 
than in Spermophilus; ante orbital foramen oval, situated in 
the base of the zygomatic process of the maxillary ; upper pre- 
molars two or one ; when two are present the first is generally 
minute; ears of medium size or small, never tufted; cheek 
pouches large; pollex with a well-developed nail; tail shorter 
than the body, flattened and rather broad, but shorter and 
narrower than in Sciurus ; dorsal surface with two to four lon. 
gitudinal whitish stripes, with acentral and two marginal black 
stripes.” This genus, though most closely allied to Spermophi- 
lus, links that genus very closely to the arboreal squirrels, to 
which some species bear a great resemblance in habits. The 
genus is apparently of North American origin, though one 
species is also found in Northern Asia and Europe. Dr. Mer- 
riam describes a new subspecies as 7. striatus lysteri, wpon a 
basis which it seems to us would make it possible to create 
endless named varieties of the more widely distributed species, 
especially if the seasonal and sexual and age variations are 
quite neglected. A new species is also described by Dr. Mer- 
riam, from California, as 7. mcrorhabdotes. 
Tamias striatus (LINN), Barrp. 
COMMON CHIPMUNK. 
Length of body, 5.75; tail, to end of vertebre, 3.65; to end of 
hairs, 4.25; fore foot, 0.80; hindfoot, 1.85. Middle of back, gray, 
rufous on the rump, grizzly brown to gray on head; sides yellow- 
ish, whole lower surface white; tail blackish above, hairs white- 
tipped. The back is ornamented by five narrow black stripes, 
the two lateral ones on each side being separated by white lines 
more or less buffy. A white superciliary line, and a yellowish 
stripe beneath the eye. 
As bearing on the habits of this interesting and social rodent 
the following account is quoted from a sprightly article in the 
American Naturalist by Ira Sayles: (Am. Nat. vol. iv, p 249.) 
‘T lately noticed in my garden a bright-eyed chipmunk, 
Tamias striatus, advancing towardme. * * * Here he paused 
a moment and gave a sharp look all around him, as if to detect 
any lurking spy on his movements. (His distended cheeks 
revealed his business; he had been out foraging.) He now put 
his nose to the ground and, aiding this member with both fore 
paws, thrust his head and shoulders down through the dry leaves 
and soft muck, half burying himself in an instant. 
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