ars

ae
Pa aS ES

1924] Swarth: Birds and Mammals of the Skeena River Region 383

the five black skins, the four taken in May are black throughout save
for a more brownish appearance upon the head. The September skin
has an infusion of chestnut on neck and shoulders, and scattered white
hairs elsewhere.

We had slight opportunity of observing the habits of this wood-
chuck, but we were told that the preferred habitat was in clearings,
such as were afforded by abandoned ranehes. <All our specimens came
from such places.

Eutamias amoenus ludibundus Hollister.
Canadian Mountain Chipmunk

Oceurs in small numbers in the vicinity of Hazelton. Chipmunks
came to the barns and corrals at Mission Point, where we were camped,
in fair abundance, attracted by the scattered grain, and they were
seen also in the burned over areas toward Rocher Déboulé, but they
were absent from the dense woods that cover most of this region. None
was seen in Kispiox Valley nor on Nine-mile Mountain.

Five specimens were collected (nos. 32732-32736). These were
identified by Mr. A. H. Howell, of the United States Biological Survey.

Sciurus hudsonicus picatus Swarth. Northwest Coast Red Squirrel

Twelve red squirrels were collected near Hazelton, five in Kispiox
Valley, and one on Nine-mile Mountain (nos. 32737-32754). The
squirrel of this region, as exemplified in the series collected, is refer-
able to the coastal subspecies picatus; in just one specimen (no.
32742, Hazelton, June 6) is there shown any intergradation toward
hudsonicus, of the interior.

Squirrels collected about Hazelton during the last week in May,
one even as late as June 2, were in winter pelage throughout; one
taken on June 16 was in complete summer pelage. Squirrels in the
lowlands had entirely finished the molt by the end of June. One that
was shot at timber line (4000 feet) on Nine-mile Mountain on August
2 was about midway through the change. (Wor the use of the name
Sciurus hudsonicus picatus see Swarth, 1921, p. 92.)

MF er Sane geekez

CaN] SONS BP

at