10 EVERMANN AND CLARK 



In the spring they may do some damage to the corn fields by dig- 

 ging up the newly planted grains; but this is infrequent and apt 

 to occur only when the field borders an open woods. As already 

 recorded, on October 4, we observed a Chipmunk going from one 

 ragweed to another, stripping off the seeds and cramming his 

 pouches with them; from which it appears that they are of some 

 value as weed-seed destroyers. 



On the whole, the Chipmunk is a harmless and very cheery- 

 little creature which, in moderate numbers, does little or no harm 

 and adds much to the attractiveness of any region. 



8. Citellus tridecemlineatus (Mitchill). 

 Striped Gopher. 



This gopher is an intrusion from the prairie fauna to the west- 

 ward of Maxinkuckee. It appears to be gradually extending its 

 range eastward. Thirty years ago it was very rare or entirely 

 unknown in Indiana except in the prairie counties along the western 

 border of the state. During 1883-1885 the senior writer of this 

 report had exceptional opportunities to become quite familiar with 

 all parts of Carroll County, which lies some 50 to 80 miles south 

 and a few miles west of Maxinkuckee, and in those years he saw a 

 total of only 3 or 4 pairs of Striped Gophers within its borders and 

 they were all in the extreme western part of the county where the 

 land is largely prairie. During many years of almost continuous 

 residence in that county (1858 to 1885) the species was never seen 

 east of the Wabash River, but recently it is said to have appeared 

 there. In Vigo County it was common from 1886 to 1891 and has 

 so increased in abundance since then as to have become a serious 

 pest. 



In 1899 when our field work began at Lake Maxinkuckee the 

 Striped Gopher was rare in that region; in fact, only one or two pairs 

 were seen during that season. They had their home at the gravel pit 

 and were observed most frequently in August. In 1900 they were 

 more numerous. Besides the colony at the gravel pit, one or more 

 were seen occasionally further south along the railroad, several 

 about the sandy hills southeast of the lake, and now and then one 

 was noted on Long Point. In 1904 they had still further increased. 



