Part 6

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus preblei A. H. Howell

Red Squirrel

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus preblei A. H. Howell, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 49:133, August 22, 1936. (Type from Fort Simpson, Mackenzie District, Northwestern Territories.)

Specimens examined.--Total 3, as follows: Alaska: Chatanika River, 700 ft., 14 mi. E and 25 mi. N Fairbanks, 1; N side Salcha River, 600 ft., 25 mi. S and 20 mi. E Fairbanks, 1; Yerrick Creek, 21 mi. W and 4 mi. N Tok Junction, 1.

Remarks.--In comparison with specimens of T. h. hudsonicus from Iskwasum Lake, District of the Pas, Manitoba, the squirrel from Yerrick Creek, an adult female, is larger and paler on the upper parts and tail.

The squirrel taken at Yerrick Creek was captured in a rat trap; Alcorn found these animals to be "fairly common" in that area. He obtained no evidence that the natives use them for food.

Marmota monax ochracea Swarth

Woodchuck

Marmota ochracea Swarth, Univ. California Publ. Zooel., 7:203, February 18, 1911. (Type from Forty-mile Creek, Alaska.)

Marmota monax ochracea A. H. Howell, N. Amer. Fauna, 37:34, April 7, 1915.

Specimens examined.--Total 3, as follows: British Columbia: Hot Springs, 3 mi. WNW jct. Trout River and Liard River, 1; 1/4 mi. S jct. Trout River and Liard River, 2.

Citellus parryii plesius (Osgood)

Parry Ground Squirrel

Spermophilis empetra plesius Osgood, N. Amer. Fauna, 19:29, October 6, 1900. (Type from Bennett City, head of Lake Bennett, British Columbia.)

Citellus paryii plesius A. H. Howell, N. Amer. Fauna, 56:97, May 18, 1938.

Specimens examined.--Total 42, as follows: Alaska: Richardson Highway, 2000 ft., 32 mi. S and 4 mi. W Big Delta, 5. Yukon Territory: 6 mi. SW Kluane, 2550 ft., 1; McIntyre Creek, 2250 ft., 3 mi. NW Whitehorse, 1; 2 mi. NNW Whitehorse, 2100 ft., 1; 1 mi. NE Whitehorse, 1; 1/2 mi. W Whitehorse, 2150 ft., 1; SW end Dezadeash Lake, 1; 2 mi. W Teslin River, 2400 ft., 16 mi. S and 56 mi. E Whitehorse, 7; 11/2 mi. E Tatshenshini River, 11/2 mi. S and 3 mi. E Dalton Post, 3. British Columbia: Stonehouse Creek, 51/2 mi. W jct. Stonehouse Creek and Kelsall River, 14; W side Mt. Glave, 4000 ft., 14 mi. S and 2 mi. E Kelsall Lake, 7.

Remarks.--The specimens vary much in color; most color variation is the result of wear and fading. In pallor of coloration the specimens taken on August 16 along the Richardson Highway, 32 miles south and 4 miles west of Big Delta, Alaska, show some resemblance to C. p. ablusus, which occurs to the westward, although in other diagnostic characters these specimens are typically C. p. plesius.

Specimens in early stages of molt were taken on July 3, 4, and 14; another specimen in an advanced stage of molt was obtained on July 10. One melanistic individual was taken one mile northeast of Whitehorse on July 11.

Alcorn found these ground squirrels locally abundant, especially in the vicinity of Whitehorse in Yukon Territory. A large population was observed along the highway west of the Teslin River; animals were seen for several miles along the road, principally in open coniferous forests where there was little or no underbrush. Alcorn caught several animals near the city dump at Whitehorse. Along the Richardson Highway he observed these ground squirrels almost continuously for approximately ten miles. He comments that the animals appeared to be more numerous in the man-cleared areas along the highway than in "unmolested areas farther back from the highway." Specimens were taken with collecting gun and in rat traps baited with "chewed" rolled oats.

Eutamias minimus borealis (J. A. Allen)

Least Chipmunk

Tamias asiaticus borealis J. A. Allen, Monogr. N. Amer. Rodentia, p. 793, August, 1877. (Type from Fort Liard, Mackenzie, Canada.)

Eutamias minimus borealis A. H. Howell, Jour. Mamm., 3:183, August 4, 1922.

Specimens examined.--Total 10, as follows: British Columbia: N side Muskwa River, 1200 ft., 4 mi. W Fort Nelson, 1; E side Minaker River, 1 mi. W Trutch, 5; Beatton River, 115 mi. S Fort Nelson, 1; 5 mi. W. and 3 mi. N Fort St. John, 1. Alberta: Assineau River, 1920 ft., 10 mi. E and 1 mi. N Kinuso, 2.

Remarks.--Specimens with worn pelage are conspicuously paler and grayer than those in fresh pelage. Chipmunks in early stages of molt with fresh pelage extending posteriorly to the middle of the dorsal part of the back were taken on June 19, 20, and 22; others in fresh pelage above, except for the hind quarters, were taken on June 15 and on September 2.

Alcorn found this species nowhere abundant; for example, in 187 museum special traps set near Charlie Lake, 5 miles west and 3 miles north of Fort St. John, in British Columbia, he took only one chipmunk.

Eutamias minimus caniceps Osgood

Least Chipmunk