1924] Swarth: Birds cmd Mammals of the Skeena River Region 383 



the five black skins, the four taken in May are black throughout save 

 for a more brownish appearance upon the head. The September skin 

 has an infusion of chestnut on neck and shoulders, and scattered white 

 hairs elsewhere. 



We had slight opportunity of observing the habits of this wood- 

 chuck, but we were told that the preferred habitat was in clearings, 

 such as were afforded by abandoned ranches. All onr specimens came 

 from such places. 



Eutamias amoenus ludibundus HoUister. 

 Canadian Mountain Chipmunk 



Occurs in small numbers in the vicinity of Hazelton. Chipmunks 

 came to the barns and corrals at Mission Point, where we were camped, 

 in fair abundance, attracted by the scattered grain, and they were 

 seen also in the burned over areas toward Kocher DebouJe, but they 

 were absent from the dense woods that cover most of this region. None 

 was seen in Kispiox Valley nor on Nine-mile Mountain. 



Five specimens were collected (nos. 32732-32736). These were 

 identified by Mr. A. H. Howell, of the United States Biological Survey. 



Sciurus hudsonicus picatus Swarth. Northwest Coast Red Squirrel 



Twelve red squirrels were collected near Hazelton. five in Kispiox 

 Valley, and one on Nine-mile Mountain (nos. 32737-32754). The 

 squirrel of this region, as exemplified in the series collected, is refer- 

 able to the coastal subspecies picatus; in just one specimen (no. 

 32742, Hazelton, June 6) is there shown any intergradation toward 

 hudsonicus, of the interior. 



Squirrels collected about Hazelton during the last week in May, 

 one even as late as June 2, were in Avinter pelage throughout; one 

 taken on June 16 was in complete summer pelage. Squirrels in the 

 lowlands had entirely finished the molt by the end of June. One that 

 was shot at timber line (4000 feet) on Nine-mile Mountain on August 

 2 was about midway through the change. (For the use of the name 

 Sciurus hudsonicus picatus see Swarth, 1921, p. 92.) 



