380 RICHARDSON'S SPERMOPHILE. 



GEOGKAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



This species has not been observed further north than latitude 55°. In 

 the appendix to Franklin's Journey, it was said to inhabit the shores 

 of the Arctic Sea, but it appears that another species had been mis- 

 taken for it. It is found in the grassy plains that lie between the north 

 and south branches of the Saskatchewan River. It is very common in 

 the neighbourhood of Carlton House, its burrows being scattered at 

 short distances over the vv^hole plain. Townsend obtained his specimens 

 in the Rocky Mountains, (about latitude 45°,) and we have traced it as 

 far south as latitude 38°. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



" The Tawny Marmot Squirrel is most readily distinguished from the 

 true squirrels by the smallness of its ears, the shape of its incisors, which 

 are larger but not so strong and much less compressed ; the second and 

 not the third toe being the largest, and its comparatively long claws and 

 less bushy tail. It seems to be the American representative of A. concolor 

 at the Jevraska of Siberia." — (Richardson.) The males of this species 

 are represented as very pugnacious in their habits, and we have repre- 

 sented one in our plate that has lost the end of its tail, the figure being 

 taken from one of the specimens sent to us. 



