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THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Distribution. — Within the state of California, in only a very limited area com- 

 prising the sagebrush valleys of eastern Mono County, namely from southeastern 

 edge of Mono Lake to head of Owens Valley in vicinity of Benton Station (see fig. 18). 

 Life-zone, Upper Sonoran chiefly, barely entering Transition locally (see fig. 23). 

 Southernmost known locality of occurrence, Taylor Ranch, in Owens Valley, two miles 

 south of Benton Station. Altitudinal range, 5,300 to 7,300 feet. 



Specimens examined. — A total of 2, both from Mono County: Mono Mills, 1; Dry 

 Creek, 1. 



The Soft-haired Ground Squirrels belong to the Great Basin region 

 of the western United States and get into our California list only on 

 the basis of the occurrence of one of the subspecies, the Stephens, in a 

 few places along the eastern border of the state. This is a distinctly 

 different type of ground squirrel from any of our others, notably in the 

 soft, silky "feel" of the hair. In addition, the small size, short slender 

 tail, and uniform light grayish coloration make a combination of 

 characters which is unique among our species. 



Unfortunately, our own personal experience with this species has 

 been very limited. In September of 1917 the two of us made especial 

 search for it at the extreme head of Owens Valley. But we were too 

 late in the season; locally well known in the vicinity of Benton, we 

 were assured by the ranchers that the animals had all "holed up" by 

 about the end of July. On the Pellisier Eanch, five miles north of 

 Benton Station, "Picket-pins" were declared to have been present "by 

 the million" from April until July, but it was averred that by the last 

 of August they had all disappeared. Numerous round holes in the 

 ground among the sage bushes were pointed out to us as belonging to 

 these squirrels. There was abundant evidence that coyotes and badgers 

 regularly dig them out. Also we were told that at the season the 

 squirrels are above ground the Indians capture many for food. 



On the Taylor ranch this squirrel was reported to be plentiful, but 

 to vary much in numbers from year to year. In the spring of 1916 it 

 was abundant; in 1917 scarcely any were seen. 



In the sand-dune area along the east side of Mono Lake, the junior 

 author saw several Soft-haired Ground Squirrels on June 10, 1916. 

 The sand was fairly covered with their tracks. Those individuals seen 

 on June 11 near Dry Creek in the same neighborhood were notably 

 tame. They gave the impression of being flat-bodied, and slid along 

 the ground like lizards, stopping to scrutinize the intruder from the 

 shelter of the first bush reached. One was captured under a bush by 

 being pinned down with the gun. 



Mr. Frank Stephens of San Diego, for whom this subspecies was 

 named, states (1906, p. 71) that he found the animals "rather common 

 in the valleys of eastern Mono County." They were feeding on the 

 sagebrush and were exceedingly fat. The date of capture of the type 

 was July 12, 1891 (Merriam, 1898, p. 69). 



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