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Show 31U / 20. Cricetodipus parvus, Bd.- Least Kangaroo Mouse. A single specimen from near Fort Tejon proves to be of this extremely rare and interesting species. This, the fourth specimen known, serves to substantiate more fully the specific distinction made between it and the single other member of the genus, C. flaws. Measurement*.- Nose to occiput, 0.90; to ear, 0.77: to eye, 1.47; to tail; 2.05; tail vertebra, 2.50; with hairs, 2.75; fore foot, 0.25; hind foot, 0.66; ear above notch, 0.26. GEOMYIDifi. 21. Thomomys ( TaJpoides{ umbrinus, ( Rich.) Cones.- Black- faced Gopher. This Gopher was found to be very abundant in many localities of Southern California, and its dispersion over the country would appear to be very general. Its habits are not very well known, chiefly from the fact that most of its existence is passed under ground. It moves about from plaoe to place through long burrows made just beneath the surface of tho ground; tunnels being driven outward every few feet to admit of foraging on the surface for all sorts of small seeds. The little heaps of earth with which it always closes the mouths of its burrows are noticeable in all directions where the animal Is found, and sufficiently attest its activity during the night hours; for, I believe, its habits are chiefly nocturnal, though they may often be noticed at work in the early morning and late afternoon. In the fall, when perhaps the approach of winter hurries them in their efforts for laying up the needed supplies, their labor is continued during the sunny hours of ihe day. Their sense of hearing is wonderfully keen, and the chief reliance to warn them of danger. When perfectly silent, a person may remain within a few feet of the mouth of their burrows and watch their motions at will. No. Sex. Locality. Bate. Collector. 168 399 345 343 995 Santa Barbara, Cal Fort Tejon, Cal.... do Santa Barbara, Cal July 5,1875 Aug. 8,1875 Aug. 9,1875 Jnly -, 1875 Jnly -, 1875 H. W. Honahav. Do. Do. Do. Do. SCIURIDJ&.- SQUIRREL3. 22. Sciurus leporinus, And. and Bach.- Californian Gray Squirrel ThiB large and beautiful species was found to be extremely abundant in certain portions of the Coast range, and also in the Sierras. Its distribution over California appears to be very general, In summer I found them living almost exclusively among the pines, where they found an abundance of the seeds. The ground under the trees was often covered with the husks of these aud with the cones naif eaten. In the rail they resort very much to the oak- groves, whence they glean a rich harvest of acorns. The chestnut patches at the base of the ears appear to be wanting in summer, as of quite a number of individuals taken in the worn summer pelage none possessed this conspicuous mark. No. Sex. Locality. Date. Collector. 965 381 609 Tejon Mountains, Cal do Mountains near Kernville, Cal Aug. 3,1875 Ana;. 3,1875 Oct. 95,1875 H. W. Henah* w. Do. Do. 23. Sciurus douglassii, Bach.- Oregon Red Squirrel. This Squirrel was found to be extremely numerous in the pineries of the Sierras, extending nearly, if not quite, up to the pine limit. It has many of the ways of the eastern Red Squirrel, with which its habits correspond most closely, but its notes are very different. These are so sweet and pleasing as to almost entitle them to be ranked as a song, and indeed their voices were mistaken for those of birds by more than one of our party. |