ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHIPMUNKS 
not speak here in much detail. Our literature’™ abounds in 
accounts of them, and every one may easily learn their ways for 
himself by a little useful observation, since there is no lack of 
specimens. As our eastern chipmunk is the genius 
of the rail fences and stone walls that bound the Count 
country lanes, so is his four-striped western brother oe 
of the woods and thickets of the Rocky Mountains. The 
moment one camps anywhere these dclightful little visitors 
will introduce themselves with an air as chipper as their voice, 
and become as entertain- 
ing as they are saucy. 
Many’s the night I have 
had them dancing all over 
me as I lay rolled in my 
blankets under the tall 
yellow pines of the mid- 
land, or the spruces of the 
higher mountain  shoul- 
ders; or have been awak- 
ened as they dashed across 
my face by the soft prick- : : 
ing of tiny toe nails. Simi- Carhn, Phot. 
, ‘ < WESTERN GROUND SQUIRREL. 
larly in California and 
Oregon (where, according to Merriam and his hair-splitting 
school of systemists, there is a different “species” in almost 
every line of hills), the vagabond camper is investigated with 
friendly impudence not only by many kinds of chipmunks and 
pine squirrels, but by the lovely golden-backed spermophile. 
“In camp,” writes an explorer of Mt. Shasta, “they made frequent 
visits to the mess box, which they clearly regarded as public property, ap- 
proaching it boldly and without suspicion, and showing no concern at our 
presence —in marked contrast to the golden-mantled squirrels, which 
approached silently, stealthily, and by a circuitous route, in constant fear, 
of detention. If disturbed while stuffing their cheek pouches with bits of 
bread, pancake, or other eatables, each chipmunk usually seized a large 
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