470 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



other woods which appeared to be deserted during the summer 

 showed evidences of being used early in the fall and those in the 

 fields had the appearance of having been abandoned in September 

 or early October. 



On May 3, one was observed sitting at the mouth of his bur- 

 row, which was under a large stump. One of us slipped up from 

 the opposite side, and, looking over the stump, watched him for 

 some time at very close range. He was very quiet and seemed to 

 be looking out across the field. When a small object was dropped 

 upon his nose he quickly turned his head sidewise and looked up 

 with an expression of curiosity, if not astonishment, on his face. 

 Not until the observer moved did he become frightened, when he 

 quickly disappeared in the burrow. 



The Woodchuck produces three to six young in a litter, usually 

 about the last of April. We have some evidence indicating that 

 two litters may be produced in one season. On September 10 a 

 young Woodchuck not more than one-third grown was seen on an 

 open hillside where it was feeding on fresh grass. When chased it 

 ran quite swiftly. When overtaken it would change its course 

 from time to time. Finally when tired out it crouched down in 

 the grass, apparently attempting to hide from its pursuers. l,ts 

 small size suggested that it was born not earlier than the middle 

 of July or later. 



The Groundhog as yet possesses little or no economic value. Its 

 pelage is coarse and contains little fur. The hide is tough and 

 ought to make a good quality of leather. The flesh is abundant 

 in quantity, sweet, palatable and very nutritious; it ought to be 

 more extensively utilized as an article of food. 



23. STRIPED GOPHER 



CITELLUS TRIDECEMLINEATUS (Mitchill) 



This gopher is an intrusion from the prairie fauna to the west- 

 ward of Maxinkuckee. It appears to be gradually extending its 

 range eastward. Thirty years ago it was very rare or entirely 

 unknown in Indiana except in the prairie counties along the west- 

 ern border of the State. During 1883-1885 the senior writer of this 

 report had exceptional opportunities to become quite familiar with 

 all parts of Carroll County, which lies some 50 to 80 miles south 

 and a few miles west of Maxinkuckee, and in those years he saw 

 a total of only three or four pairs of Striped Gophers within its 

 borders and they were al' in the extreme western part of the county 

 where the land is largely prairie. During many years of almost 

 continuous residence in that county (1858 to 1885) the species 



