LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



IT. S. Department of Agriculture, 

 Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, 



Washington, D. C 7 ., August 17, 1893. 

 Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith a report on the Ground 

 Squirrels or Spermophiles of the Mississippi Valley, for publication as 

 Bulletin No. 4 of this Division. 



This report has been prepared by Mr. Vernon Bailey, chief field agent 

 of the Division. Since it is intended as an economic bulletin it is 

 devoted chiefly to the food habits and distribution of the several spe- 

 cies, technical matter being omitted. 



The accompanying illustrations were drawn by Mr. Ernest E. Thomp- 

 son. 



Kespectfully, 



C. Hart Merriam, 



Chief of Division. 



Hon. J. Sterling Morton, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



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