64 NEW- YORK FAUNA. 



and lateral stripes, light yellow. These are trivial differences, such as might occur between 

 two individuals of the same species. The size of the two species sufficiently coincide. 



The laborious compiler Schreber describes carefully the Asiatic Squirrel, and the following 

 appears to be the principal points : " Eyelids bare and dark brownish on the margins. Color 

 " of the head, neck, sides and outer part of legs yellowish (griseo-lutescens.) On the sides of 

 " the head are four alternate pale and brown stripes. Tail above blackish, beneath yellowish; 

 " along its sides, a darkish obsolete border, etc." 



The genus Tamias of Illiger, we deem founded on unimportant or insufficient character, if 

 applied to our species. Its habits might seem to imply an organization somewhat different 

 from the other squirrels ; but neither the slight difference in the deciduous upper anterior 

 molar, nor the situation of the brain, are of themselves sufficiently important. The tail of the 

 Ground Squirrel is distinctly distichous ; and the cheeks, though susceptible of great dilata- 

 tion, do not form true cheek pouclies. 



The Ground Squirrel is usually seen running along fences, and particularly attached to 

 stone walls, which afford him a ready retreat. Under these he makes his burrow, in which 

 he lays up his store. A favorite spot is the centre of some decayed stump. It rarely ascends 

 trees, and only when its retreat is cut off from its hiding place. It appears to be of an irrita- 

 ble disposition, resisting every attempt at domestication. Its food is the same as with the 

 other species. It is stated by Prof. Emmons to be occasionally injurious to maize, by destroy- 

 ing the kernel when the plant is just out of the ground. 



It is common over all the State. Its geographical range, in this country, appears to be 

 included between the fiftieth and thirty-third parallels of latitude. 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



S. carolinensis, Bosc. (Bachman, Mag. Nat. Hist. 1839, p. 330.) Rusty grey, white beneath ; ears 



nearly naked ; anterior molar in upper jaw persistent. Tail as long as head and body. Smaller 



than I cacotis. Length 17 '0. Southern Slates. 

 S. macrourus. (Say, Long's Exp. Vol. 1, p. 115 ) Black and grey above. Tail very large. Length 



19-0 -20-0. Missouri. 

 S. auduboni'. Black above, beneath brownish. Tail equal to length of head and body. Smaller than 



niger ; ears shorter. Length 23 '0. Louisiana. 

 S. quadrivittatus. (Say, Op. cit. Vol. 2, p. 45.) Head with four white stripes ; on the back, four 



broad white lines alternating with darker ones. Head and body 4 -2 ; tail 3 -O. Allied to striatus. 



Rocky Mountains. 

 S. fuliginosus. (Bachman, Of. cit. p. 380.) Black above, grizzled with brownish yellow. Tail 



flattish, much shortei: than the body. Length 18 "5. Mississippi. 

 S. rickardsonii. (Bachman, p. 386. Lewis & Clark.) Rusty grey above, whitish beneath ; end 



of tail black, and shorter than the body. Length 11-2. Rocky Mountains. 

 S. douglasii. (Bachman, Op. cit. p. 382.) Dark brown above, brighter buff beneath. Tail shorter 



than the body. Length 14-6. Columbia River. 



