80 



SQUIREELS, MARMOTS AND PIKAS. 



they heap up large stores of grass near their burrows, doubtless for 

 winter consumption. I have never noticed anything of the sort in 

 connection with any of the Chinese species. They seem to be semi- 

 diurnal or semi-nocturnal, for I have found tliern early in the morning 

 in traps set overnight. I have also trapped them during the day. 

 It may be that they commence their foraging at the first sign of dawn, 

 and do not actually come out at night. They do not hibernate. 



The race seems to be eminently adaptive, for species occur in 

 the arid wastes of the Ordos, on the grassy plateau of Inner Mon- 

 golia, in the forested areas of West Shansi, amongst t'hie loess hills of 

 Shensi and Kansu and on the highest mountains of the central and 

 western provinces. 



Altogether some eipjit species and sub-s])ecies have been described 

 from North China, including one from Inner Mongolia. 



The Pika (OcJtotona bcdfordi). 



One of the first known species was Ochotona dnuuricn, which 

 occurs in Inner Mongolia. It was originally described from the Urga 

 district in the north. Tliis species in its sunjmer ])clt is of a grey- 

 brown colour above, witli lighit grey under parts. The flanks are 

 lighter than tlio back, wliile the clicst is of a biiff colour, the chin 

 grey-white. The upper part of tlie tinck of the ear is black. Tlie 

 adult is about eight inches in length. It inliubits the sides of low 

 hills, having preference for scrub patches, l)eds of stinging nettles or 

 rocky screes. It frequently tak-i;'s up its quarters in disused 

 badger holes, or "setts" as tliey are called, excavating Long galleries and 

 tunnels in the walls of the latter. It is very difticult to catch pikas 

 in traps which require the taking of bait, but an ordinary "gin" set in 

 one of tlieir runways catches them easily ctiough. 



