. Animal life in the Yosemite; an account of the mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in a cross-section of the Sierra Nevada. Zoology. GROUND HQVIBRELS 163 from other states, because of its different appearance from that of prairie dogs and other squirrel-like animals of the more eastern parts of North America. It is to be seen in numbers from the windows of trains passing through the San Joaquin Valley, and is occasionally observed along the railroad in the Merced Caiion; while along all of the auto roads from the west leading into the Yosemite National Park it compels attention at almos
. Animal life in the Yosemite; an account of the mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in a cross-section of the Sierra Nevada. Zoology. GROUND HQVIBRELS 163 from other states, because of its different appearance from that of prairie dogs and other squirrel-like animals of the more eastern parts of North America. It is to be seen in numbers from the windows of trains passing through the San Joaquin Valley, and is occasionally observed along the railroad in the Merced Caiion; while along all of the auto roads from the west leading into the Yosemite National Park it compels attention at almost every turn. Here individuals are prone to dash across the road almost under the wheels, uttering their startled cries and stirring up small clouds of dust to mark their precipitate rout. To the residents of the Sierran foothills this species is known as 'digger squirrel' in recognition of its propensity for burrowing and to distinguish it from the 'tree' squirrels. Gray and Eed, which inhabit the middle and higher altitudes in the mountains. Citellus beldingi /\ Cr''S^'"o\. , . > i ? -^/\ \!p'^ Fig. 27. Cross-section of the Sierra Nevada through the Yosemite region showing general zonal and altitudinal distribution of Squirrels and Marmot. The California Ground Squirrel is distinguished from the Gray and Red squirrels by the presence of whitish shoulder patches, by a less bushy tail, and by ground-dwelling habits; from the Belding Ground Squirrel by larger size, and by much longer and broader tail, which undulates as the animal runs along the ground; from the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel and the species of chipmunks, by larger size and by the absence of stripes of co/itrasted bright color along the sides of the body. The California Ground Squirrel is most abundant on the plains of the San Joaquin Valley and in the adjacent foothills, in the Lower and Upper Sonoran zones; it is less num
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Keywords: ., bookauthorgr, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectzoology
