196 



FOUR STRIPED GROUND-SQUIRREL. 



row black line from the nostril to the corner of the eye ; above and be- 

 neath the eye, a line of white, which continues downward to the point of 

 the nose. 



A dark-brown dorsal line, commencing behind the ears, continues along 

 the back to the insertion of the tail ; another line, which is not quite so 

 dark, begins at each shoulder and ends on the buttocks, near the tail ; on 

 each flank there is another shorter and broader line, which runs along 

 the sides to near the haunches ; on each side of the dorsal line there is a 

 light-coloured stripe running down to near the insertion of the tail. The 

 outer brown stripes are also separated by a line of yellowish-white ; thus 

 the whole back is covered by five dark and four pale lines. From the 

 neck a broad line of reddish-brown extends along the sides, terminating 

 at the hips ; feet, light yellowish-brown ; under surface of the body, and 

 inner surface of the legs, grayish-white. 



The tail, which is slightly distichous, is composed of hairs yellowish- 

 brown at the roots, then dark-brown, and tipped with reddish-brown ; on 

 its under surface they are reddish-brown, then black for a narrow space, 

 and reddish-brown at the tips. 



DIMENSIONS. 



A fine Male (killed Aug. 19th, 1843, on the Upper Missouri 

 Nose to anterior canthus 

 Nose to opening of ear 

 Height of ear 

 Width of ear 



Between centre of eyes . 

 Length of head and body 

 Tail (vertebrae) 

 Tail to end of hair . 

 Heel to end of hind-claws 

 Palm and fore-feet to claws 



Weight 4 oz. 



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This pretty little species was discovered by Mr. Sav, during Colonel 

 Long's expedition. Mr. Say does not however appear to have seen much 

 of its habits, and gives us but the following short account of them : — 



" It does not seem to ascend trees by choice, but nestles in holes, and 

 on the edges of rocks. We did not observe it to have cheek-pouches. 

 Its nest is composed of a most extraordinary quantity of the burrs of the 



