2 20 The Mammals of Colorado 
least, to raid melon patches. They live in hollow trees, or 
in dens among rocks or under banks. The young, varying 
from three to six, are born in April or May. A very peculiar 
habit is that they in\'ariably wash their food, whenever 
possible, before eating it. This they do by holding it in the 
fore paws and dipping it into the water. 
Genus BASSARISCUS (Grk. bassaris, a fox) 
Bassarisciis Coues, Science, ix., p. 516 (1887). Type Bassaris 
astitta Lichtenstein. 
Body rather slender and elongated; tail long as body, annulated; 
ears rather large; pads of feet naked, soles hairy; head with short 
pointed muzzle ; skull flat above ; palate ends opposite the posterior 
portion of the last molars; dentition: i. f ;c. x;pm. ■|;m. f X 2 = 40. 
Eight species and subspecies of this genus have been 
described, of which B. astiitiis and two subspecies occur in 
the United States, being found in the southwest, from Texas 
west to the Pacific Coast and north into Oregon; one is found 
in southwestern Colorado. 
These are nocturnal animals, living among trees, and also 
among rocks, probably depending on locality and circum- 
stances. 
Bassariscus astutus (Lat., cunning, crafty). Ring-Tail 
Bassaris astiita Lichtenstein, Isis, xxiv., p. 513 (1831). 
Type locality. — Southern Mexico. 
Measurements. — Total length, 28; tail vert., 13; hind foot, 2.3. 
Description. — (From a specimen taken in western San Miguel 
County, Colorado, in February): Above, a pale buffy, mixed with 
longer black hairs, under fur plumbeous; under parts whitish, 
lightly tinged with buffy; chin and throat somewhat darker; tail 
above with alternate black and white bands, and black tip ; the black 
does not quite meet on the underside of the tail, so that the centre 
line of that portion is continuously white. The extremely long 
ringed tail at once distinguishes it from any other Colorado mammal, 
or indeed, from any other mammal found in the United States. 
The skull is rather long and slender, with short postorbital 
processes, and fairly prominent temporal ridges. The bullae arc 
of good size. The three anterior upper premolars are rather small, 
