LARGE-TAILED SPERMOPHILE. 
183 
as many kinds of squirrels) sometimes turning out the wood-peclcers from 
their nests, an injury which unites them against the wrong-doer. By what 
process the birds are influenced to attack when the animal is not in their 
nests, nor even on a tree upon which they have built (or dug, we should 
say), we know not, but that the birds comprehend that union is strength is 
quite evident, and the Spermophile knows it too, for he always instantly 
tries to escape and conceal himself as soon as the vociferous cries of the 
first bird that observes him are heard, and before its neighbours called 
thereby to the fight can reach the spot. 
We have not been able to ascertain how many young this Spermophile 
produces at a birth, nor at what season they are brought forth. It is seen 
on the plains and in localities where no trees grow, in which places it bur- 
rows or runs into holes in the rocks. 
From our present information we are inclined to think that this species 
is sometimes in company with S. Douglasii in California, or at least inhabits 
the same districts. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
This Spermophile exists in some portions of that part of Mexico which 
were traversed by J. W. Audubon on his way towards California, and 
is also found in the last named State. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
This species somewhat resembles Spermophilus Douglasii, but is a larger 
animal, the white patches over the shoulders moreover are wanting. 
O 
The heel is hairy beneath, but the remaining part of the under surface of 
the foot is naked, whilst in Spermophilus Douglasii the whole foot is covered 
with hair beneath, up to the fleshy parts at the base of the toes. 
