Fig. 15. Tuft Eared Squirrel (Sciurits ;i ferreus). From a specimen 

 taken at Risk Canon, Larimer County, .January 1 .3th. Original. M. A. Palmer, 

 Delineator. 



Squirrels of the aberti group have long ear-tufts in winter. 

 In one species, ferreus, there are three color phases at least, 

 namely, the normal phase, in which the upper parts are gray and 

 the under parts white, a dark brown, and a black phase. In some 

 sections of this squirrel's range the brown and black phases pre- 

 dominate, but in the northern part of the State, at least Larimer 

 County, the gray color is most common. 



The tree-squirrels of Colorado are confined to the pine area, 

 the seeds of the pine and spruce forming the bulk of their food. 



I have seen fremonti make some remarkable leaps, high above 

 our heads, across mountain roads, from one pine tree to another. 



FAMILY CAS TORI DAE (BEAVERS) 

 Genus Castor. 



Beavers are the largest rodents found in Colorado, in fact, 

 the largest in North America. Fur very dense, waterproof, tail 

 broad and flat, hind feet webbed, larger than fore feet. Skull and 

 lower jaw massive. 



29 



