40 
MEXICAN MARMOT SQUIRREL. 
towards the extremities the hairs are yellow, but they have a broad black 
band in the middle of their length ; under surface of the tail of an almost 
uniform yellowish-hue, slightly inclining to rust colour. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Adult male. 
'aches. Lines. 
From point of nose to root of tail, - - - 10 
Tail (vertebrae), 4 
“ including hair, 5 
Nose to end of head, 2 8 
Length of ears, 4 
From, elbow of fore-leg to end of longest nail, - 2 6 
Tarsus (of hind leg), 1 9 
Measurements of the specimen named S. Spilosoma by Mr. Bennett : 
Young. 
Inches. Lines 
From point of nose to root of tail, - - - 5 9 
Tail (vertebrae), 2 9 
“ including hair, 3 6 
Nose to ear, 1 3 
Tarsus and nails, 1 3 
Length of nail of middle toe, - 2$ 
“ fore foot and nails, - 94 
“ middle toe of fore foot to nail, - - 2 i 
HABITS. 
This Mexican Spermophile has all the activity and sprightliness of the 
squirrel family, and in its movements greatly reminds one of the little 
ground-squirrel ( Tamias Lysteri) of the middle and northern States. It 
feeds standing on its hind feet and holding its food in the fore paws like a 
common squirrel, and is remarkable for the flexibility of its back and neck, 
which it twists sideways with a cunning expression of face while observing 
the looker on. When caught alive this pretty species makes a pet of no 
common attractions, having beautiful eyes and being very handsomely 
marked, while its disposition soon becomes affectionate, and it retains its 
gay and frolicsome habits. It will eat corn and various kinds of seeds, 
and is fond of bits of potatoe, apple, or any kind of fruit, as well as bread, 
pastry, cakes, Ac. : grasses and clover it will also eat readily, and in fact 
