102 DENIZENS OF THE DESERT 



Since at such times they are much given to 

 sitting up on their haunches they assume quite 

 a human aspect. I was recently much amused 

 at the use a little chipmunk made of his " hands " 

 while scratching for fleas on his rump. Not 

 being able to get at the parts that itched very 

 easily he grasped the skin with his left forefoot 

 and stretched it around forward where with his 

 right forepaw he could reach it. He saw to it 

 that the skin was stretched tight and then pro- 

 ceeded to give it a thorough scratching. The 

 little foot moved bewilderingly fast. Dear little 

 fellow, even he had his troubles. 



The antelope chipmunks are easily caught in 

 box traps, but, unless caught very young, they 

 make poor pets, being so shy that they stay 

 closely hidden in the cages provided for them 

 and seldom show themselves when any person 

 is around. I have several times tried to tame 

 them, but I have always soon set the little 

 creatures free, reproaching myself for ever 

 having subjected them to the fear which accom- 

 panied their being placed in a box. 



Their progress when running is accomplished 

 by a series of short, bouncing leaps, the tail 



