Order RODENTIA. Gnawing Animals. 
Family SCIURIDZE. Squirrels. 
This is a large family of rather small-sized animals. Squirrels 
are found in nearly all parts of the world except Australia. 
Some species are used for food. Some species are of economic 
importance because of their destruction of crops. The habits 
‘are varied; some are arboreal, others are terrestrial; many are 
fossorial. Most species are diurnal, but the Flying Squirrels are 
principally nocturnal. The principal food is vegetable,—seeds, 
fruits, leaves, etc., but some flesh and insects are eaten by many 
species. 
16. FISHERS GROUND SQUIRREL. Citellus beecheyi 
fisheri. 
Abundant in the mountains and west to the sea. Not found 
in the desert or in the foothills bordering the desert. Very de- 
structive to crops and pasturage. Has been found to be in- 
fested with the germs of bubonic plague in other counties of this 
state. Has few redeeming characters. 
17. ROUND-TAILED GROUND SQUIRREL. Citellus 
tereticaudus. 
Rather common along the edge of the Colorado Desert and in 
the valleys of the eastern slope of the mountains. 
18. ANTELOPE GROUND SQUIRREL. Ammospermophilus 
leucurus. 
Common on the eastern slope of the mountains. Prefers 
rocky ground around the edges of the valleys. 
19. MERRIAM CHIPMUNK. Eutamias merriami. 
Found principally in forests of mixed oak and pine. Com- 
mon in a few places. 
20. ANTHONY GRAY SQUIRREL. Sciurus griseus anthonyi. 
Found in mixed oak and pine forests on the Laguna, Cuya- 
maca and Palomar Mountains. They are subject to epidemics 
and irregular fluctuations in abundance. 
I am told that Flying Squirrels have been seen on Palomar 
Mountain, but I have seen none in the county. 
Family MURIDZE. Rats and Mice. 
A very large family of world wide distribution. The intro- 
duced species are destructive and harmful, as are a few of the 
native species in a less degree. The greater number of native 
species occur mostly at a distance from dwellings and cultivated 
land and therefore are not of economic importance. Some species 
are almost exclusively vegetarian, others, particularly the intro- 
duced species, are omnivorous. 
21. BROWN RAT. Epimys norvegicus. 
Introduced and thoroughly established. Abundant in towns 
and becoming common in the country. Very destructive. Some- 
times carry disease germs into dwellings. 
