80 



SQUIRRELS, MARMOTS AND PIKAS. 



they heap up large stores of grass near their burrows, doubtless for 

 winter consumption. I have never noticed anything of the sort in 

 connection with any of the Chinese species. They seem to be semi- 

 diurnal or semi-nocturnal, for I have found them early in the morning 

 in traps set overnight. I have also trapped them during the day. 

 It may be that they commence their foraging at the first sign of dawn, 

 and do not actually come out at night. They do not hibernate. 



The race seems to be eminently adaptive, for species occur in 

 the arid wastes of the Ordos, on the grassy plateau of Inner Mon- 

 golia, in the forested areas of West Shansi, amongst t'hie loess hills of 

 Shensi and Kansu and on the highest mountains of the central and 

 western provinces. 



Altogether some eight species and sub-species have been described 

 from North China, including one from Inner Mongolia. 



V 



/,i* 

 THE PIKA (Ochotona bedfordi). 



One of the first known species was Ochotona dauurica, which 

 occurs in Inner Mongolia. It was originally described from the Urga 

 district in the north. This species in its summer pelt is of a grey- 

 brown colour above, with light grey under parts. The flanks are 

 lighter than the back, while the chest is of a buff colour, the chin 

 ^rey-white. The upper part of the back of the ear is black. The 

 adult, is about eight inches in length. It inhabits the sides of low 

 hills, having preference for scrub patches, beds of stinging nettles or 

 rocky screes. It frequently takes up its quarters in disused 

 badger holes, or "setts" as they are called, excavating long galleries and 

 tunnels in the walls of the latter. It is very difficult to catch pikas 

 in traps which require the taking of bait, but, an ordinary "gin" set in 

 one of their runways catches them easily enough. 



