ClKCr LAR FOURTEEN 



Figure 1, little striped spermophile (Citcllua trideceinlineatus parvusj: 

 figure 2, pale striped spermophile (Citellus tridecemlineatiis pallidusj. 



Description of Citellus t. jmllidus (from Warren's "Mammals 

 of Colorado") — 



Striped above, six light and seven dark longitudinal stripes; the light 

 stripes a yellowish gray color, some at least of the hairs black-tipped; dark 

 stripes a dark brown, almost black sometimes; all the stripes, except outer 

 one on each side have a row of spots in center, of same color as light 

 stripes; outer dark stripes unspotted and ill-defined; top of head irregularly 

 marked with color of back; flanks somewhat rusty; buffy ring around eye; 

 sides and upper surface of feet and under parts similar color to light 

 stripes, but somewhat lighter and more yellowish white; latter color on 

 tips of hairs and on tip of tail; under surface of tail same color as under 

 part of body. 



The scientific name of this ground squirrel, Ci-teV-lus tri-de^ 

 cem-lin-e-a^-tus pallidns, is from the Latin, and the meaning is 

 as follows: citellus, diminutive of citus, swift; trideceni, thir 

 teen ; linca, line ; pallidus, pale. 



If you will count the lines on the back and sides of these 

 squirrels, you will find seven broad stripes and between them six 

 narrow stripes, thirteen in all. 



Hibernation. — In ('olorado these squirrels spend about five 

 months of each year in their underground homes. The important 

 factors in the control of the extent of this hibernation are cli 

 matic conditions and altitude. 



For several years we have kept a record of their appearance 

 in the spring and their disappearance in the fall. Our earliest 

 spring record is March 23, and our latest fall record is November 9. 



Abundance. — They are more abundant than one would sup- 

 pose; for they are very shy, especially in the spring of the year. 

 In walking over the ground, you will seldom see a specimen ; but 

 trapping on this same ground will always bring good results in 

 a few hours. 



[ spent three days at the Elliott ranch in Arapahoe County 

 this spring, being constantly in the field during the day, and 

 failed to see a live specimen of this squirrel in that time; yet 



