698 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



vibration. There were from four to six of these periods of vibration 

 in a series. The tip of the tail would travel only a short distance, less 

 than a couple of inches, as it was never seen to reach a vertical position 

 above the animal's back when the squirrel was standing on all fours. 



These squirrels are notably cautious about coming out of their holes ; 

 they were never seen to come out hastily. First the nose and then the 

 eye of an animal would stealthily appear, and then a thorough look 

 around for possible danger taken, before a squirrel considered it safe 

 to leave the shelter of its burrow. However, when they do move, their 

 actions are very sudden, as though they had been undecided just what 

 to do, but having once made up their minds are off in a whirl of dust. 

 These rodents are more easily alarmed by sound than by sight. The 



Fig. 28. Young Nelson Antelope Ground Squirrel, photographed by J. Dixon, May 

 9, 1918, on lower San Bmigdio Creek, Kern County. Note how well the general color 

 of the animal blends with the tone of the background, and yet how strikingly the white 

 of the under side of the tail shines forth. 



cracking of a twig would send them hot-footed to their burrows. Yet 

 the observer was able to walk up to within thirty feet of them in plain 

 sight in the open as long as he made no violent motions. By approach- 

 ing slowly and directly towards the squirrels, it was frequently possible 

 to get within ten feet when they were sunning themselves at the 

 entrances to the burrows under the overhanging banks. 



The sense of smell seems to be extensively used in the daily life of 

 these animals. At the close approach of the observer the noses of these 

 little squirrels were seen to twitch constantly as if in effort to catch the 

 scent of the stranger. The sense of smell also plays an important part 

 in locating food. Then again it is used socially. When following each 

 other about, in and out of the burrows, they often stop and sniff to see 



106 



