SQUIRRELS. 
77 
flattened, and rather wide. The skull is generally like that of the true squirrels, 
but rather narrower and more slender; and the first premolar tooth in the upper 
jaw is either absent or very minute. 
The common American chipmunk (Tamias striatus), together with its 
numerous varieties, is distinguished by having two white stripes, each bordered 
with black, and a simple black stripe running down the middle of the back; and 
has also two white stripes, separated by a black one, above and below the eye. It 
is about the size of the European squirrel, with which it also agrees approximately 
in the general ground-colour of the fur. There is, however, great local variation in 
this respect, specimens from the southern portions of the chipmunks’ range being 
lighter in colour than those from the north. The distribution of this species 
extends from Canada and Manitoba to Georgia and Western Missouri. The long¬ 
eared chipmunk (T. macrotm), from California, differs from it in the much greater 
length of its ears. 
On the other hand, the Siberian chipmunk ( T . asiaticus), which, as we have 
said, is common to the Old and the New World, together with some other North 
American species, differs by having four light-coloured and five black stripes on the 
body. The tail is also relatively longer. In the Old World this species ranges 
from the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk westward over the whole of Northern Asia, 
extending in Russia as far as the river Dwina, and along the whole course of the 
Amur. Including under the specific name a large number of varieties, which some 
writers are disposed to regard as distinct species, the Siberian chipmunk ranges in 
North America from Lake Superior and the neighbourhood of the Barren Grounds 
to New Mexico and Arizona, and extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific seaboard. 
Chipmunks are among the commonest of North American 
Habits L 0 
Rodents, and their habits are consequently thoroughly well known. 
As those of all of the species are probably nearly similar, the excellent account 
given by Dr. Hart Merriam of the habits of the common chipmunk will suffice for 
all. These animals are migratory, and may be very abundant in a certain district 
in one year, while in the next comparatively few will be seen; their relative 
abundance being dependent upon the supply of food. Chipmunks feed not only 
on nuts and beech-mast, but likewise on various kinds of corn and roots; and they 
are also partial to the larvae of insects. When beech-mast is abundant in the 
Adirondack Mountains, it may be safely predicted that swarms of chipmunks will 
make their appearance in the autumn. In such seasons the forerunners arrive in 
September, while by October the woods are alive with these creatures. “ Finding 
an abundance of food,” writes Dr. Merriam, “ they immediately establish themselves 
for the winter, and begin at once to hoard up large stores. They are the least 
hardy of our squirrels, commonly going into winter-quarters before the middle of 
November, and rarely appearing again in any numbers till the warm sun, in March 
or April, has caused plots of bare ground to appear between the snow-banks. 
Early thaws sometimes bring them out in February; and after having once 
emerged they often make little excursions over the snow during pleasant days, 
though the temperature may be several degrees below freezing. In running from 
tree to tree, even when not pursued, the length of their bound varies from twenty- 
five to thirty-four inches—a long leap for so small an animal.’’ They commonly 
