2o6 The Mammals of Colorado 
for the color; then about half the outer portions are black, and the 
tip white, thus giving a grizzled grayish look to the whole upper 
surface except along the middle of the back where white tips to the 
hairs are wanting or nearly so. The hairs are much longer on the 
sides of the body and the white tips correspondingly so, making the 
sides look much grayer; the head is blackish above, with a narrow 
white stripe extending from about half way between eyes and 
nose to the occiput ; back of ears with a black border ; a buff y patch 
on cheek and around back of eye ; entire underparts, including under 
side of tail, clear buff, except a short white streak on middle of 
belly ; chin and throat somewhat paler ; upper part of tail like under, 
just a little grizzled ; feet and legs black. 
FIG. 65. BADGER, Taxtdea taxus 
Skull showing dentition x f 
In some specimens the white stripe on top of head extends back 
between shoulders, and also forward to end of nose. Two Gunnison 
County specimens are darker and richer in color than the one from 
which the description was drawn up, and have longer hair; one was 
taken on nearly same day of month as above described specimen, 
and the black and white parts are much more in evidence and the 
resultant effect consequently handsomer. 
