168 BULLETIN NO. VII. 
ing ever since, as Mr. Jillson kindly informs me. Mr. Jillson 
writes under date of May 18th, 1885: ‘‘They are not numerous 
enough yet to do a great deal of damage to crops, but if a pair 
takes up its abode near small chickens or turkeys, they soon 
thin them out. When not frightened into their holes they gen- 
erally plug them up with dirt, but always leave them open 
when out.” This latter habit has not been noticed by any 
other observer, and is not shared in by the striped gopher; in 
fact it may be that this habit is one result of their more 
exposed habitat. 
GENUS ARCTOMYS, (LINN.) SCHREBER. 
‘Skull with the dorsal outline nearly straight; frontal 
region flat or depressed ; postorbitals triangular at base, with 
a long decurved point ; zygomatic arches moderately expanded, 
not widening and diverging posteriorly ; grinding teeth rather 
small, the transverse and antero-posterior diameters about 
equal, and the molar series very nearly parallel; occipital and 
interparietal crests well developed ; anteorbital foramina sub- 
triangular, widest below, but not thrown outward. 
‘‘Size large; body thick-set, broad, depressed; cheek- 
pouches small; tail rather short, bushy not flattened; ears 
small; nail of pollex broad, flat, or wanting ; pelage consisting 
of long coarse hairs and thick under fur. Coloration generally 
yellowish gray or brownish, without either distinct spots or 
stripes.” The woodchucks are magnified Spermophiles with 
some of the characters intensified, but seem to be an older and 
more synthetic type—perhaps the most central living group of 
the Sciwride. 
Three closely allied species are recognized from America, 
A, monax from the eastern United States north to Hudson’s 
Bay, A. flaviventer, from the Rockies, A. pruinosus, from Alaska 
and northwestern America. The last is very close to the Old 
World form A. marmota, which is at home in the Alps, Pyre- 
nees and Carpathians. A small species, A. bobac, occurs in 
Siberia and Russia. 
Arctomys monax (LINN) SCHREBER. 
WOODCHUCK. 
Length, 138.50—15.50; tail to end of vertebrae 4.50; to end of 
hairs, 6.75; hind foot, 3.00; fore foot 2.30; nose to eye 1.50. 
Color, a mixture of gray, fulvous and brown, below brown to 
rufous. Top of head, feet and tail dark brown to black; sides 
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