GROUND-SQUIRRELS 147 



and So they can speedily gather, while they are 

 plenty, the large stores they need to preserve 

 life during the long season of famine ahead; 

 and snug in their warm nests deep under the 

 sod, they doze away the winter, now and then 

 emerging when the February sun tempts them 

 out, but for the most part lying close, yet not 

 in complete dormancy. 



Taking the freedom of the camp. These 

 cheerful little fellows, and especially the four- 

 striped Rocky Mountain kind, are extremely 

 numerous in the rougher parts of the West, and 

 are amusing visitors at every camp and cabin 

 until they wear out their welcome by misbe- 

 havior. In some of the national forests they 

 have proved a great nuisance by digging up 

 newly planted tree-seeds. 



' ' In camp, ' ' writes an explorer of Mt. Shasta, ' ' they 

 made frequent visits to the mess-box, which they 

 clearly regarded as public property, approaching it 

 boldly and without suspicion, and showing no concern 

 at our presence in marked contrast to the golden- 

 mantled squirrels, which approached silently, stealth- 

 ily, and by a circuitous route, in constant fear of 

 detection. If disturbed while stuffing their cheek- 

 pouches with bits of bread, pancake, or other eatables, 



