200 



GNAWING ANIMALS 



cent. Out of the whole twenty-nine stomachs examined, 

 twenty-six contained the remains of insects! Thus the grain 

 consumed by this animal is at least partially paid for by the 

 destruction of insects that prey upon crops; but farmers 

 everywhere are diligent in destroying it with poisoned wheat 

 placed in its burrow. 



Richardson's Spermophile,' of northern Montana, North 

 Dakota and the region immediately northward as far as the 



Saskatchewan, has a short 

 body, short legs, and a short 

 tail, and looks very much 

 like a thin prairie-" dog." In 

 color it is like the preceding 

 species, except that its tail is 

 darker; but in size it is a 

 trifle smaller (9-f-3 inches). 

 Its habits are practically 

 identical with those of Frank- 

 lin's Spermophile, but if there is any difference, it is more 

 destructive to grain than is the latter, and consumes less in- 

 sect food. It is fortunate that this species inhabits so small 

 an area of the wheat country of the Northwest. 



Marmots 



The group of marmots consists of burrowing rodents which 

 in structure are quite squirrel-like, but are distinguished by 

 their large size and general heaviness of body. As befits 

 their portliness of form, they are not active and lively, like 



• Ci-tel'lus rich'ard-son-i. 



RICHARDSON'S SPERMOPHILE. 



