162 



BULLETIN NO. VII. 



Tamias asiaticus (GMELIN) ALLEN. 



Var. qiiadrivittatus? 



ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHIPMUNK. 



PLATE IX, FIG. 21. 



T. asiaticus is known to occur in the state from well authen- 

 ticated skins collected by T. S. Roberts near Duluth and from 

 observations made by Mr. Upham near Red Lake, indicating 

 that the species ranges nearly entirely across the state to a 

 considerable distance south of the boundary. The specimens 

 of Mr. Roberts are not now before me, but several examples 

 collected by myself in Canada, along the north-eastern shore 

 of Lake Superior, probably are identical. Along the north 

 shore this species is much more common than its larger rival 

 and conforms with great satisfaction to the conditions of exist- 

 ence presented by the rocky soil and depauperated vegetation. 

 It was never observed to climb, though carefully watched, 

 where it was quite abundant and fearless. Several individuals 

 visited our store-tent daily and gave us abundant opportunity 

 to observe the activity and pert, pretty ways in whict it out- 

 does the familiar species. 



The following table presents the available measurements, all 

 being taken from animals collected at Michipicoten bay, Lake 

 Superior, during July and August: 



These measurements are below the average of T. guadrivittatus 

 but the bright coloration points in that direction. 



The characters of var. quadrivittatus are given as follows: 

 "Length of head and body, 4.50-5.00; of tail to end of vertebrae, 

 about 3.50; to end of hairs, about 4.50. Pattern of coloration 

 strictly the same as var. borealis, but the colors brighter, with 

 much more rufous, and the size smaller. Under parts sometimes 

 faintly tinged with fulvous. The black dorsal stripes are edged 

 and more or less mixed with rufous; the light stripes, especially 



