Mammal Study 241 



passageway just large enough for its own body, widening to a nest 

 which is well bedded down. There is usually a back door also, so that 

 in case of necessity, the inmate can escape. It retires to this nest in 

 late November and does not appear again until March. In the nest, 

 it stores nuts and other grains so that when it wakens, at long inter- 

 vals, it can take refreshment. 



If you really wish to know whether you see what you look at or not, 

 test yourself by trying to describe the length, position and number of 

 the chipmunk's stripes. These stripes, like those of the tiger in the 

 jungle, make the creature less conspicuous; when on the ground, 

 where its stripes fall in with the general shape and color of the grass 

 and underbrush, it is quite invisible until it stirs. Its tail is not so 

 long nor nearly so bushy as that of the squirrel; it does not need a tail 

 to balance and steer with in the tree tops; and since it lives in the 

 ground, a bushy tail would soon be loaded with earth and would be an 

 incubus instead of a thing of beauty. 



The chipmunk is not a vocalist like the red squirrel, but he can cluck 

 like a cuckoo and chatter gayly or cogently ; and he can make himself into a 

 little bunch with his tail curved up his back, while he eats a nut from both 

 his hands, and is even more amusing than the red squirrel in this attitude; 

 probably because he is more innocent and not so much of a poseur. His 

 food consists of all kinds of nuts, grain and fruit, but he does little or no 

 damage, as a rule. He is pretty and distinctly companionable, and I 

 can rejoice, in that I have had him and his whole family as my near 

 neighbors for many years. I always feel especially proud when he shows 

 his confidence, by scampering around our piazza floor and peeping in at 

 our windows, as if taking a reciprocal interest in us. 



LESSON LVIII 



The Chipmunk 



Leading thougJit — The chipmunk lives more on the ground than does 

 the squirrel; its colors are protective and it has cheek pouches in which 

 it carries food, and also soil when digging its burrow. It stores food for 

 winter in its den. 



Method — The field note-book should be the basis for this work. 

 Give the pupils an outline of observations to be made, and ask for reports 

 now and then. Meanwhile stimulate interest in the little creatures by 

 reading aloud from some of the references given. 



Observations — i. Do you see the chipmunk climbing around in trees 

 like the red squirrel ? How high in a tree have you ever seen a chipmunk ? 



2. What are the chipmunk's colors above and below? How many 

 stripes has it? Where are they and what are their colors? Do you 

 think that these stripes conceal the animal when among grasses and 

 bushes? 



3. Compare the tails of the chipmunk and the red squirrel. Which 

 is the longer and bushier? Tell if you can the special advantage to the 

 chipmunk in having this less bushy tail? 



4. W^hat does the chipmunk eat ? How does it carry its food ? How 

 does it differ in this respect from the red squirrel? Does it store its food 

 for winter use? How does it prepare its nuts? How does it hold its food 

 while eating? 



