THE JUMPING MOUSE. 



259 



fall to Uie ground under its seat on a lofty pine bongli. In 

 the winter it collects the cones of spruce and ]iine, and car- 

 ries them to the entrance of its burrow, where it picks out 

 the seeds beneath the snow. It also makes hoards of seeds, 

 etc., on the approach of winter. 



The gray squirrel [SccurusCaroUnensis) makes rude nests 

 of leaves in trees where its young nuxy be found in April 

 and May. It feeds on nuts and acorns, and is active dur- 

 ing the winter. 



The wood-chuck [Arctomys monax) is a mischievous crea- 

 ture, destructive to gardens and field crops, especially red 

 clover. It is rather social, making buri'ows in the sides of 

 hills which extend to a gi'eut distance, and end in various 

 chambers, according to the number of inhabitants. The 



Fig. 297.— Jumping Mouse {Zapus Hudsonius). 



chambers ai'e lined with dry grass or leaves, and here they 

 pass the winter in a torpid state, previously closing the en- 

 trance. There are six young to a litter. 



The common pocket gopher [Geomys lur sarins, see 

 Frontis])iece, left side) burrows in sandy soil and feeds on 

 acorns, nuts, roots, and grass, which they carry to their 

 burrows in their enormous hanging cheek-pouches, which 

 when full have an oblong form and nearly touch tlie ground. 

 It inhabits the valley of the Mississipiii and its tributaries. 



The jumping mouse (Fig. 297) has remarkably long hind 

 legs and short fore legs. This creature hibernates in the 

 winter months. According to Maynard, it enters the ground 

 before tiie frosts set in, and makes a burrow from five to 

 seven feet in depth, usually in saudy soil. At the end of 



