ROCK SQUIRRELS, OR CHIPMUNKS 
73 
gested its generic name, T amias, meaning a stew- 
ard. It does not become dormant, but on the 
warm, sunny days of winter, when the rocks are 
free from snow, it hastens above ground to enjoy 
the light and warmth. 
The length of an Eastern Chipmunk is Of + 4-t 
inches. Its ground color is bright reddish brown 
above, light underneath, and along each side 
runs a conspicuous yellow-brown stripe between 
two black stripes. A black stripe runs from 
the head backward along the centre of the back, 
almost to the tail. The home of this animal 
extends from southern Canada and New York 
to Georgia and Louisiana, and westward to 
Iowa. 
There are eighteen full species of Chipmunks, 
several of which are very much alike, distributed 
throughout nearly the whole of the United States. 
The greater number are marked by two or more 
black lines extending along the side, frequently 
alternating with lines of a yellowish-gray color. 
It is impossible to mention even the majority 
of these species without risk of confusing the 
reader, but it is desirable to note a few important 
and strongly marked types inhabiting widely 
separated localities in the United States. 
The California Chipmunk 1 is a merry- 
hearted little elf, particularly pert and beauti- 
ful. Its high, sharp-pointed ears and harlequin 
stripes of white give it a very roguish and saucy 
look. To judge by the lively actions of this little 
creature, it seems to regard life as a long play- 
spell. There are many in the Zoological Park, 
and in some respects they are the most satisfac- 
tory of all our burrowing rodents. Only the 
severest weather drives them into their burrows, 
and in the dead of winter, when a thick blanket 
of snow keeps all other animals of the Burrowing 
Rodents’ Quarters snug under ground, the first 
hour of clear sunshine will see half a dozen of the 
California Chipmunks above ground, and sun- 
ning themselves on their logs. Having an abun- 
dance of room, they enjoy their life in the Park, 
and are much interested in visitors who notice 
them. 
This species could easily and safely be intro- 
duced in any region suitable for it. Its home 
is in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Moun- 
tains, California, but the limits of its range are 
yet to be defined. It is one of the smallest spe- 
1 Eu'tam-i-as spe-ci-o'sus. 
cies of its genus, its total length being 6 + 3 
inches. 
The Antelope Squirrel 2 is readily recognized 
by the broad and conspicuous band of white, 
which extends along the middle of the side, and 
its pale buff color. It has the pale colors of a 
Photo, by E. D. Warren. 
say’s SPERMOPHILE. WESTERN CHIPMUNK. 
( Callospermophilus (Eutamias quadrivit- 
lateralis.) tatus.) 
desert animal. It is found in the desert regions 
of the southwest from western Texas to southern 
California, and northward to Nevada and Utah. 
It is larger than the eastern species, and is 
strikingly different in appearance from all other 
chipmunks. 
Ground Squirrels. 
We have now reached a large group of bur- 
rowing squirrels which to the farmers west of 
the Mississippi are of very serious importance, 
on account of the grain they destroy. All these 
animals may be known under the name of Sper'- 
mo-philes. The word Spermophile means “ seed- 
lover”; and as this very appropriate general 
term implies, the animals which bear it feed 
chiefly upon seeds or grain. 
No ground squirrel, or spermophile, ever 
should be called a “gopher,” as is frequently 
done in the Dakotas and Minnesota. The latter 
name should be reserved for the clumsy, bur- 
rowing pocket gophers, of the genera Geomys 
and Thomomys. 
Ground squirrels live by preference on prairies, 
2 Am-mo-sper-moph'i-lus leu-cu'rus. 
