190 ANIMAL LIFE IX THE YO SEMITE 



adjacent had just been freed of snow and was still wet ; this fact probably 

 accounts for the animal's use of the powdery rotted wood. 



While coming down the zigzags on the Tenaya trail near Snow Creek 

 on September 29, 1915, one of us found a rattlesnake which had been killed 

 and left in the trail. The tail of a chipmunk was sticking out of the 

 rattler's mouth. When we pulled out the body, which was head-down in 

 the throat of the snake, it proved to be that of a Long-eared Chipmunk. 



The food of this chipmunk consists of a variety of seeds and fruits 

 occurring in the belt of snow bush {Cconothus cordtdatus). In addition, 

 pine seeds are gathered where they drop out of the ripened cones on the 

 ground. The cheek pouches of three individual chipmunks, collected at 

 Gentrys and Aspen Valley, October 14 and 23, 1915, contained 1, 12, and 5 

 seeds, respectively, of the sugar pine. 



Alpine Chipmunk. Eutamias alpinus (Merriam) 



Field characters. — Smallest aad palest colored of the Yosemite chipmunks (head and 

 body about 4 inches long, tail scarcely 3 inches long). (See comparative measurements 

 in footnote 15, p. 177.) Usual chipmunk pattern of coloration; sides of body pale buff; 

 tail showing more yellowish buff than black. (Sec pi. 3b.) Voice: A wiry, not loud, 

 sweet repeated frequently; this sometimes modified to nhit when uttered more slowly 

 and with emphasis; also a low chuckle. 



Occurrence. — Common resident of Hudsonian Zone, ranging locally into Alpine- 

 Arctic. Eecorded on Mount Hoffmann and on Mount Clark, and from Glen Aulin and 

 near Vogelf^ang Lake eastward to Mono Pass and Ellery Lake. Seldom below 8500 feet 

 altitude. Lives chiefly among rocks, sometimes about fallen logs; climbs trees but 

 rarely. 



The Alpine Chipmunk is the smallest and palest colored of all the 

 chipmunks occurring in the Yosemite section. It lives habitually at higher 

 altitudes than do the other species. In only one place was it observed below 

 8000 feet; the greater part of the population of the species lives far above 

 that altitude. 



Only one other chipmunk, the Tahoe Chipmunk, is found regularly 

 within the territorj' inhabited by the Alpine Chipmunk. From that species 

 the Alpine may be distinguished by its smaller size and paler tone of 

 coloration and by its marked preference for the rocks. (See pi. 36.) 

 Furthermore, alpinu.s shows much less curiosity than does its relative. If 

 the observer makes a squeaking noise with his lips, the Tahoe Cliipimuik 

 will usually be attracted to investigate, whereas the Alpine Chipmunk 

 Avill either pay no attention whatsoever or else hasten away. 



Along the eastern margin of the range of the Alpine Chipmunk is to 

 be found the Mono Chipmunk, a species of only slightly larger si/.e but 

 of somewhat more brilliant coloration. Both may be seen about rocks, 

 and then only close scrutiny of individuals will enable an observer to 



