240 NAT URE-STUD Y RE VIE W 



seem to vary somewhat in different locations. In the far west 

 there are more light stripes and sometimes a checkered appear- 

 ance. All have light colored underparts. 



Our chipmunks are graceful in form and pert and quick in 

 their movements. Their characteristics in the mammal realm 

 resembling that of the wren in the bird realm, having an air of 

 pride and alertness that is most engaging. If not so common, 

 their fur would probably rank almost as high as sable or ermine. 



They dwell in burrows in the ground and have acquired a 

 trimness of form and traits — such as small close ears and very 

 slightly bushy tails, suitable to their habitat. The claws are 

 strong, the teeth are both strong and sharp, the front ones are 

 slender curved chisels which are admirably adapted to cut through 

 the hard shells of nuts and the bark of underground stems. Well 

 developed cheek pouches are a sign that these animals are not 

 well endowed with powers for either defense or escape but pick 

 up their food and scamper home to eat at leisure. When collecting 

 food these pouches are invaluable and a chipmunk with well 

 loaded cheeks is a comical object. If nuts are gathered he nips 

 off any points that may occur on the surface then pushes each 

 into a pouch with his fore paws. Four nuts constitute a*good 

 load. Sometimes one may be seen jumping along a fence with a 

 pignut in either cheek and one between his teeth. 



Chipmunks are very partial to sunflower seed for food but 

 will eat com, buckwheat, wheat and almost all small nuts. Their 

 habit of storing food in their underground store houses is of great 

 benefit to mankind as very often much more is stored than is 

 needed and the surplus helps plant many oaks, hickories, hazel 

 shrubs, chestnuts and wild cherry trees in our landscapes.. So 

 although our granaries and nut supplies may be depleted by these 

 active burrowers our landscapes may be richer in sources of future 

 nut production. 



The burrows are so dug that a good outlook may be secured 

 from the doorway and yet avoid a ttacting attention. Perhaps 

 an almost perpendicular tunnel extending into the earth for three 

 or more feet is first made which soon bends so that a horizontal 

 apartment comes next, which leads upward a trifle to a roomy 

 space carpeted with soft, dry leaves. In this room the four or 

 more young are carefully tended until they are large enough to 

 look out for themselves. There may be other rooms leading off 



