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THE GROUND SQUIRREL. 



(Tamias Lystcri ; Sciurus striatus, Linn.) 

 Chip Squirrel. Striped Squirrel* 



The ground squirrel is found throughout all the north of 

 Asia and of America, particularly in the pine forests. In the 

 neighbourhood of Quebec it is very common in the crevices 

 of the rocks, forming the bank of the St. Lawrence, from the 

 Chedier River to St. Nicholas. 



Its length, from the head to the root of the tail, is five inches 

 and a half. On the head and upper parts of the body, the 

 general colour is brownish red, intersected by a black stripe 

 which runs along the spine ; on each side there are also two 

 horizontal stripes of black, enclosing a pale yellow space -, the 

 belly is white 5 the ears are smooth, and have a brown skin ; 

 the cheeks are provided with pouches for the temporary recep- 

 tion and carriage of the food ; the tail is narrow, rather longer 

 than the body, and covered with long fur, but more scantily 

 than in most other squirrels. 



In its habits this species differs very materially from all its 

 congeners j for, instead of living in trees as they do, it burrows 



* From its possessing some resemblance to the dormouse, both in its habits 

 and external form, the ground squirrel has been described by Pennant under 

 the name of striped dormouse. 



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