gO VERTEBRATES : MAMMALS. 



The Genus Spermophilus including Ground Squir- 

 rels, Spermophiles, and Gophers is characterized by a 

 squirrel-like body, variable ears, well-developed cheek- 

 pouches, and absence of the thumb claw. They are all 

 burrowing animals. This genus is represented in North 

 America by at least fourteen species. 



The California Ground Squirrel, 5. Beechyii, Rich., is 

 about the size of the cat squirrel, 5. cinereus, the color 

 above mixed black and light yellowish-brown ; beneath, 

 pale brownish-yellow. It is notorious for its depreda- 

 tions upon the farm products, and for its extensive exca- 

 vations. 



The Columbia Ground Squirrel, 5. Douglassii, Rich., 

 of Columbia River, is very similar to the preceding. 



The Line-tailed Squirrel, S. grammurus, Bach., is found 

 from the sources of the Arkansas to Sonora. 



The Black Ground Squirrel, 5. Couchii, Baird, is found 

 in Northern Mexico. 



Say's Striped Squirrel, 5. lateralis, Rich., is found from 

 the Rocky Mountains to the Cascade Range. 



Harris's Spermophile, vS. Harrisii, Aud. & Bach., is 

 found in the Mohave Desert. 



The Gray Gopher, 5. Franklini, Rich., of Northern 

 Illinois and Wisconsin and to the Saskatchewan, is about 

 nine inches long to the tail, which is five and a half 

 inches ; the color above light yellowish-brown varied 

 with black, the top and sides of head and neck hoary 

 gray, and under parts whitish. 



The Round-tailed Spermophile, 5". tereticaudus, Baird, 

 found in California, is five to six inches long to the tail, 

 which is half an inch to an inch less. 



The Striped Gopher, or Leopard Spermophile, 5. tri- 

 decem-lineatus, Aud. & Bach., of Michigan to the plains 

 of Missouri and southward, is about the size of the Red 

 Squirrel, S. kudsonius, with the tail something more than 



