RODENTIA-SCIURINAE-SPERMOPHILUS GRAMMURUS. 
309 
SPERMOPHILUS DOUGLASSII. 
Columbia Ground Squirrel. 
Arctcmys Spermophilus douglassii, Rich. F. B. A. I, 1829, 172. 
Spermophilw douglassii, F. Cuvier, Suppl. Buff. I, Mamm. 1831, 333. 
Wagner, Suppl. Schreb. Ill, 1843, 247. 
Spermophilus douglassii, Aud. and Bach. N. Am. Quad. I, 1849, 373; pi. xlix. 
Otospermophilus douglassii, Brandt, Bull. Phvs. Math. Acad. St. Pet. II, 1844, 380. 
Sp. Ch. —Similar in most all respects to S. beecheyi, but with the space on the nape and back, between the light colored 
more lateral patches, of a uniform dark brown, nearly black. 
A sphermophile from the Columbia river differs from the S. beecheyi , as described from 
California, in some important points, the comparison being with six specimens from the latter 
locality. The tail is shorter and much less bushy, the hairs being laid quite close down, as in 
the small spermophiles, instead of approximating to the bushy form of the squirrels. The 
under side of the tail is more densely haired. It is more hoary above and below, and the hairs 
show conspicuously only a distinct ring of black near the base and the hoary tip ; the interme¬ 
diate dark rings being very faint. The hoary marks on the sides of the neck and shoulders 
show much more gray than the other, species, while the stripe between, instead of being nearly 
uniform in tint with the posterior portion of the hack, is darker than this anteriorly, and in 
its wider posterior half is uniformly and conspicuously brownish black without any mottling. 
The hoary patch likewise extends more broadly posteriorly, covering a wide space, instead of 
being reduced to a narrow line behind the shoulder. The patch on the inner face of the ear is 
more restricted. The feet and claws appear longer in proportion. 
Additional specimens received from Oregon, since the preceding description was prepared, 
substantiate the characters assigned as distinguishing a northern species. The tails of these, 
however, are less compressed, and more like those of S. beecheyi, though apparently less ample. 
The ears do not appear so black. The soles vary from being entirely naked except on the heel 
in summer, to densely hairy to near the digital tubercles in winter. 
List of specimens. 
Corresponding No. 
of skull. 
Sex and age. 
Locality. 
When collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Original number. 
Nature of specimen. 
Measurements. 
From tip of 
nose to tail. 
Tail to end of— 
o 
Skull. 
Verteb. 
Hairs. 
g! 
Length. 
Width. 
$ 
Port Halley O. T 
Jan. 24,1855 
Dr. G. Suckley, U. S. A. 
39 
Skin .... 
12.00 1 
8.25* 
9.50 x 
2.00 
Q 
.do. , T . T .. 
April 7,1855 
52 
!_do... 
10.50 1 
7.25 1 
9.25 x 
Phila. A. N. Sc. 
Mounted. 
1881 
Near Columbia ri 
Dr. J. Evans.. 
Skin .... 
2.47 
1.51 
Klamath lakp ; O. 
Lieut. R. S. Williamson, 
6 25 
8.00 
U. S. A. 
1 Measured before skinning. 
