346 BULLETIN 56, UNITED STATES KATlOiSTAL MOSETIM. 



■iii.ophiluK gram7imriis). Those from the Agua Fria Valley differ some- 

 what in appearance from the form occupying the Colorado Plateau, 

 and may merit separation as a race. As all but one of my specimens 

 from the Agua Fria Vallej^ were preserved in a solution that discolors 

 the pelage, the materials requisite for a satisfactory comparison are 

 lacking. 



Habits and local distribution. — The alpine barking-squirrel or short- 

 tailed prairie-dog is locally abundant over the northeast third of 

 Arizona. 1 did not meet with it in the western portion of the Terri- 

 tory. Although it prefers the highest plains, it is by no means 

 unknown to the mountains of Arizona, where I have seen colonies 

 living in the pine forests, and have found it as high as 8,000. feet above 

 sea level. Along the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad numerous colonies 

 were noted as far west as Bill Williams Mountain. To the north of 

 his railroad a large area between the Colorado River and Cataract 

 Creek is occupied by it. j 



Late in May, 1887, 1 found large colonies residing in the large basin 

 known as the Mormon Lake, in the MogoUon Mountains. They 

 encroached upon the boggy soil adjacent to the lake, where they were 

 so close to the water level that they had constructed enormous mounds, 

 often 20 feet in diameter and of considerable height, apparently to 

 insure drjmess of their habitations. Be this as it may, those living in 

 the neighboring rocky mesa had formed scarcely anj;^ mounds.. Colo- 

 nies were noted at frequent intervals between the Mormon Lake end 

 Flagstaff, Arizona, especially on the open plain known as Clarkes Val- 

 ley, through which a railroad was then being built. A few young 

 ones were alreadj^ abroad and sat up erect and acted like adults,, 

 although not as large as the eastei-n red squirrel or chickeree. The 

 first young one was seen at Mormon Lake on May 31. This was in 

 the pine belt. The young are brought forth a month earlier in the 

 low, hot plains, and hundreds of little ones no longer than Say's chip- 

 munk were seen near Flagstaff on the 27th of June of the same year. 

 Several "dog towns" were seen in the pine forest, where the animals 

 were easily shot from the concealment afforded by the tree trunks. 

 The soldiers of my party shot and ate a number of them, and pro- 

 nounced their flesh excellent, but to my taste they had an earthy 

 flavor that was decidedly unsavory, although they were fat and their 

 flesh tender and juicj'. Some were living in cliffy hillsides, burrow- 

 ing under rocks, over which they climbed with easy confidence, often 

 choosing the top of some large one for a rostrum from which to salute 

 one's approach with their nois}"^ "barking." Near Flagstaff a colony 

 occupied a hillside adjoining a wheat field, which latter they totally 

 destroyed, notwithstanding the efforts of the owner to save his crop. 

 Experience had taught the adults shyness; but, on returning to the 



