CHAPTER XXX 

 The Squirrels 



THE four-footed animals help to form a group called the 

 Mammals. Some of the wild mammals are helpful on the 

 farm, but many more are hurtful. The great majority of 

 the latter belong to the order of Rodents or Gnawing Ani- 

 mals, of which squirrels, rats, mice, and rabbits are familiar 

 examples. One of the chief characteristics of this group 

 is the curious front teeth which are chisel-like and continue 

 to grow as long as the owner lives ; they are called incisors. 

 The rodents have to be continually gnawing in order to 

 keep these incisor teeth short enough for comfort. 



Nearly all the rodents feed upon plant materials, and 

 many of them are especially fond of various farm and 

 garden crops. Some, however, as the common rat, are 

 practically omnivorous. 



The interesting family of Squirrels (Sciuridae) includes 

 the True Squirrels, the Marmots, and the Flying Squirrels. 

 The True Squirrels are divided into three groups : the 

 Tree Squirrels, of which the Gray Squirrel and Red 

 Squirrel are familiar examples ; the Rock Squirrels, of 

 which the Chipmunk is an example, and the Ground Squirrels 

 or Spermophiles. The Marmots include the Woodchuck 

 and Prairie Dog. 



GROUND SQUIRRELS OR SPERMOPHILES 



The Ground Squirrels or Spermophiles are now classified 

 in the genus Citellus. They are often called Gophers, 



307 



