178 The Mammals of Colorado 
black intermixed; sides of body pale rufous, flanks gray; upper 
surfaces of feet quite gray; below white ; upper surface of tail grayish 
and black ; under surface rufous, with black border and tip ; the 
tail is rather thin and scanty. 
The skull is comparatively small and slender. The short hind 
foot is a very good character in separating this and the succeeding 
subspecies from E. operaritis. 
Distribution. — The Least Chipmunk is found in Wyoming, north- 
western Colorado, and northeastern Utah. The typical form is 
confined in Colorado to the northwestern corner of the State, its 
eastern limit being roughly about twenty miles east of the Snake 
River, in Routt County, and its southern, by the Bear River at Sand 
Creek and Lily. 
Outside of these limits to the south and east it begins to merge 
into the next form, becoming gradually darker and more brightly 
colored. 
Habits. — The Least Chipmunk is an inhabitant of the 
arid portions of western Colorado, hving amongst the sage- 
brush and greasewood of the dry plains of that part of the 
State, and seemingly not extending much into the cedar and 
pifion zones. It is usually quite a shy, restless little animal, 
but sometimes becomes very tame and bold about camps, 
and is then rather a nuisance, stealing all kinds of eatables 
which it may be able to carry away. This, however, is not 
peculiar to this species, for all the chipmunks become thus 
familiar when not molested, and will sometimes become 
so tame as to take food from one's hand. At one camp in 
Gunnison County I once had two or three feeding from 
my hand, and several others picking up crumbs about my 
feet, all at the same time. In these cases it is very interesting 
to watch them, and observe their habits. Much of the food 
they pick up is placed in their cheek pouches and carried 
away, presumably to their holes and store-rooms, for winter 
use. For it is not unlikely that they are more or less active 
in their burrows during winter, even when they do not come 
outside. 
