light spots in the middle. Sometimes—especially in the two outer- 
most dark bands—these light spots run together, dividing the 
broad dark stripe into two narrow ones. The striped gopher is often 
confused with the chipmunk, but the slightest attention to these 
markings is sufficient to distinguish them. 
The average size of specimens from Champaign county is as fol- 
tows: length, 10.9 in.(277 4mm.) ; tail,3.62 in. (92 mm.); hind foot, 
1.5 in. (38 mm.).- This is larger than the measurements usually 
given. The series measured, however, is a small one. 
The gophers are all animals of the open country, avoiding tim- 
ber, not climbing trees, but seeking refuge in burrows. The range 
of the striped gopher, under various subspecific names, corresponds 
in general with the prairie region of North America. In Michigan, 
Wisconsin, and Minnesota the clearing of the land has brought about 
prairie conditions, and the species has pushed north beyond the 
original prairie. The same is true, to some extent, of other di- 
rections. 
The habitat of this species isalways the open. Practically it is 
never found in woodland, and but rarely in fresh pasture or recently 
cleared land. On the other hand, it is, within the county, not partial 
to the extreme prairie type or the till plains, but is far more abun- 
dant along the moraine ridges and the portions of the bluff areas 
that have been long cleared and in pasture. Undoubtedly the area 
of favorable habitat within the county has greatly increased since 
its settlement. The species is found in the till plains, especially in 
localities not under continuous cultivation. Such areas, however, 
are chiefly limited to borders of fields and a few small pasture-lots. 
It soon enters a field left down in grass, and also the margins of corn 
and grain fields. It is rarely found in the middle of such fields. 
It is found in the cleared pasture also, especially near cultivated 
fields, but is most abundant in pasture-lots along the crests of the 
moraines. Here it may be found any summer day so long as the 
sun is shining. 
Like most other non-combative animals living in the open, the 
striped gopher is exceedingly nervous and timid. The whole exist- 
ence of these animals above ground seems to be passed in deadly 
fear of enemies that soar in the air above or lurk in the grass around 
them. As they creep through the grass they pause every few feet 
and sit up to look and listen; they crouch low at every passing 
