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824 



MONOGRAPHS OP NORTH AMERICAN KODENTIA., 



Several of the species nre remnrkablc among our North American 

 Rodentin for their carnivorous propensities. This has been especially noted 

 by Dr. P. R. Hoy in the case of S. tridecemlin^atm, who has made the habits 

 of this animal the subject of careful study.* He has not only observed the 

 destruction of mice and small squirrels by them while in a state of confine- 

 ment, but has convinced himself that they are a useful check upon the increase 

 of the ditferent species of Arvicola and other field-mice, and says that Ground 

 Squirrels cannot inhabit the same locality. He soys,' — "When a Squirrel or 

 other small animal is put into a cage with one of these [Spermophiles], it 

 will, in a moment, be all animation and activity, darting at the intruder, 

 inflicting a wound and flying ba«k with such rapidity as to leave but little 

 chance for defence. As soon as it has disabled its antagonist, it seizes it Ly 

 the back of the neck and instantly kills it. During these combats, the 

 Gopher utters a low snarling growl, and emits n Musteline odor. Afler kill- 

 ing, they remove the upper part of the skull, suck the blood, and eat out the 

 brains. The carcass is then devoured as occasion requires ; but if an abun- 

 dant supply is at hand, they only eat the brains, resembling in this respect 

 the Weasel.'' He adds, — "I am satisfied that when the case of 'Benefits 

 versus Injuries' is properly investigated, the agricultural interests will promptly 

 decide that the 'Striped Spermophile' is an advantage to the country, and is 

 deserving of protection rather than destruction from the hands of the farmer. 

 They keep in check the Meadow Mice (Arvicola) and other small quadru- 

 peds." He further suggests that it might possibly prove useful in extermi- 

 nating the Pouched Gopher {Geomys bursarius). Mr. Kennicott adds that 

 Dr. Hoy had informed him that he had found the skins of Meadow Mice in 

 the burrows of this animal. 



Mr. Kennicott states further, that the Gray Spermophile {S. franklini) is 

 aliio to some extent carnivorous, and that he had heard farmers complain of 

 their destroying young chickens.f I have also been informed byMr. S. Jill- 

 son, of Tuckerton, N. J., that the small colony of these animals that have 

 recently become, by accident, established in that neighborhood, destroy young 

 chickens and turkeys. Dr. Couesl has recorded that 8. richardsoni feeds 

 largely upon the carcasses of buifalo. Mr. H. W. Henshaw also states that 



* See U. 8. Patent Oillce Report, AKricultural, for 1653, pp. «8-70. 

 t U. 8. Patent Office Beport, Agriooltanl, for 1866> p. 80. 

 .IV t American Natunlist, ix, Mar. 1876, p. 173. 



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