160 BULLETIN NO. VII 



than in Spermophilus ; ante orbital foramen oval, situated in 

 the base of the zygomatic process of the maxillary ; upper pre 

 molars two or one ; when two are present the first is generally 

 minute ; ears of medium size or small, never tufted ; cheek 

 pouches large ; pollex with a well-developed nail ; tail shorter 

 than the body, flattened and rather broad, but shorter and 

 narrower than in Sciurus ; dorsal surface with two to four Ion 

 gitudinal whitish stripes, with a central and two marginal black 

 stripes." This genus, though most closely allied to Spermophi- 

 lus, links that genus very closely to the arboreal squirrels, to 

 which some species bear a great resemblance in habits. The 

 genus is apparently of North American origin, though one 

 species is also found in Northern Asia and Europe. Dr. Mer- 

 riam describes a new subspecies as T. striatus lysteri, upon a 

 basis which it seems to us would make it possible to create 

 endless named varieties of the more widely distributed species, 

 especially if the seasonal and sexual and age variations are 

 quite neglected . A new species is also described by Dr. Mer- 

 riam, from California, as T. m^crorhabdotes. 



Tamias striatus (LINN), BAIRD. 



COMMON CHIPMUNK. 



Length of body, 5.75; tail, to end of vertebrae, 3.65; to end of 

 hairs, 4.25; forefoot, 0.80; hindfoot, 1.35. Middle of back, gray, 

 rufous on the rump, grizzly brown to gray on head; sides yellow- 

 ish, whole lower surf ace white; tail blackish above, hairs white- 

 tipped. The back is ornamented by five narrow black stripes, 

 the two lateral ones on each side being separated by white lines 

 more or less buffy. A white superciliary line, and a yellowish 

 stripe beneath the eye. 



As bearing on the habits of this interesting and social rodent 

 the following account is quoted from a sprightly article in the 

 American Naturalist by Ira Sayles: (Am. Nat. vol. iv, p 249.) 



"I lately noticed in my garden a bright- eyed chipmunk, 

 Tamias striatus, advancing toward me. * * * Here he paused 

 a moment 'and gave a sharp look all around him, as if to detect 

 any lurking spy on his movements. (His distended cheeks 

 revealed his business; he had been out foraging.) He now put 

 his nose to the ground and, aiding this member with both fore 

 paws, thrust his head and shoulders down through the dry leaves 

 and soft muck, half burying himself in an instant. 



