MAMMALS. 



37 



The name of castanotns^ as originally published, was a typographical error, not detected until 

 too late, and conveys an erroneous impression in regard to the color of the ears. 



121. 122. Copper mines of the Mimbres, N. M. Winter? 1857. J. H. Clark. 



"This squirrel was observed in greatest abundance among tl»e tall pines growing on the mountains about the Copper mines. 

 Though the piiion (the fruit of this pine) at seasons constitutes its principal and almost only food, it frequents the ground ; on 

 being alarmed it seeks the largest trees, and hides itself in the topmost branches, without ever showing any disposition to leap 

 from tree to tree. That it always sought safety in the nearest large tree when surprised led me to believe that it does not 



■ 



resort habitually to 'hollows," but lives and rears its young in 'nests.' Although occuring iu greatest numbers in piuo 

 regions, it was occasionally met with among the oak-covered mountains about Santa Cruz." — (J. II. Clark ) 



31, TAMIx\S DORSALIS, Balrd (p. 300.)— Gila Striped Stiuirrel. 



Head acutely pointed ; body elongated ; feet and limbs moderately developed. Thumb 

 rudimentary, with a nail ; third and fourth toes and claws equal ; second a little shorter than 

 the fifth or exterior, the claw of which reacbes to the base of that of the third. Palms naked. 

 On the hind feet the inner tec is shortest ; th€ second, third, and fourth successively longer ; 

 the fifth claw reaches a little beyond the base of the fourth. Sole naked or with a few scattered 

 hairs ; heel hairy. Claws all well developed, and clotbed with bristles at the base. Tail quite 

 short, little more than half the length of body. 



This species has the lines on the sides of the face, as in other species of TamiaSj but they are 

 better defined than usual. Thus there is a distinct line nearly white from the snout over the 

 eye, but not extending to the ear, A brancb passes under the eye, and, extending beneath and 

 along the base of the ear, is lost in a hoary patcb behind it. A dark reddish brown stripe, mixed 

 with black, separates the upper stripe from the crown, and another similar to it divides the 

 lower stripe throughout its length from the dirty white of the throat and neck. A third line 

 of the same passes back from the eye to the base of the ear, and runs u]^ on the anterior inflected 

 portion, where, however, it is nearly pure reddish brown. 



The ears, as stated, are reddish brown on the anterior third ; another third is greyish brown ; 

 the rest or posterior portion is dirty greyish white, continuous with a patch of the same behind 

 the ear, and extending backwards for half an inch. The concavity of the ear is well covered 

 with short hairs ; brownish anteriorly, ferruginous on the posterior half. 



The especial characteristic of this species is seen in the single well defined dorsal stripe of 

 dark brown, extending from the back of the head where it distinctly separates the hoary patches 

 already mentioned, and extends to the base of the tail. On either flank is visible a faint line 

 of light greyish, occupying the position of the exterior light line of other speciefl of Tamias. 

 There are also the faintest possible traces of the other dark and light lines, making up the five 

 dark and four light stripes of l^amias. The top of the head and upper parts generally have in 

 general a hoary or greyish aspect, mixed with light reddish and brown ; the former predomi- 

 nating in one specimen, the latter in another. The under parts are dull greyish white ; the 

 sides of the body, the buttocks and the exterior surfaces of the hind feet pale rusty, lighter on 

 the fore feet. 



The tail is more bushy than nsual. On the upper surface the hairs are glossy black at the 

 base, then chestnut, then black, and finally dull white ; the first two colors of equal extent, 

 about half that of the two latter. Beneath the hairs are chestnut at the base. 



