Naturalists, as well as many ordinary observers, it is said, recognize
numerous varieties among the chipmunks of the United States, founded
principally on the markings of the fur; for in their habits they are
all very similar. Elliott Coues describes four varieties found in this
country.
The American chipmunk, hackee, or chipping squirrel (_Tamias lysteri_)
is distributed all over the United States. The face is of a reddish
brown tint, with darker spots on the forehead and cheeks; the nape of
the neck is ashen gray, the hind-quarters reddish brown, the under
surface whitish; there is a dark-brown stripe on the back, a black
stripe over the eye, with white above and below it, and there is a wide
white side-streak edged with blackish brown; the upper surface of the
tail is dark-brown, the base being grayish yellow, the tip whitish and
the lower surface a ruddy hue.
This description may seem superfluous, in view of our picture of
the lively little animal; we think, however, it may induce closer
observation of the markings of its fur.
The chipmunk is visible at all seasons of the year, but late in summer
it may be seen running about, "its cheek pouches filled and its eyes
beaming with the satisfaction which its riches afford it." According
to the different months in which they mature, it gathers its varied
stores, for the most part consisting of buckwheat, hazelnuts, maple
seeds, and corn. During the winter it hibernates to some extent, but
it seems to stand in need of food during the whole winter. Audubon dug
up a burrow in January, and at the depth of about four feet he found a
large nest of leaves and grass in which were three chipmunks; others
seemed to have disappeared in the lateral passages at the approach of
the diggers. The animals were overcome with sleep and not very active,
but they were not as torpid as true hibernating animals are, and they
snapped viciously at the naturalist, who tried to handle them. The
animal does not become torpid before November. It does not leave its
subterranean home during the winter, but keeps a passage open. When the
snow melts it begins its activity above ground.
The young are born in May, and a second litter usually in August. It is
said the males engage in fierce combats during the breeding-season.
The farmer is not very friendly to this animal, which he regards as a
pest. It is hunted extensively. A whole army of enemies is constantly
engaged in its pursuit. "Boys utilize it to practice the noble sport of
hunting; weasels pursue it both on and under the ground; cats deem it
a prey equally as good as rats and mice, and all larger birds of prey
carry it off whenever they have a chance. One of these birds has even
gained for itself the name of squirrel-hawk, because of its attacks
on the chipmunk." The rattlesnake, according to the observations
of Geyer, also follows the poor little creature with a great deal
of perseverance. Winter often causes sad havoc among the numerous
young brood born in summer. Yet they are very plentiful, at least in
favorable years, the great fecundity of the female making up for the
losses. Their chief protection against enemies is the difficulty in
finding them and the amazing nimbleness they display as they dart
between and under hedges like wrens.
The beauty and gracefulness of the ground-squirrels render them
interesting pets, but as they never become quite tame, are timid and
addicted to biting, and gnaw everything in the cage they are not very
desirable to keep. Their care presents no difficulties, and they thrive
well on the simplest diet of grain and fruit.
Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, N. Y., is suffering for the second time
in its history from a too great increase in its colony of chipmunks.
Eighteen years ago they became such a nuisance that a trapper was
employed, and 28,000 small striped pelts were the results of his first
year's work.
This year it was noticed that an unusual number were about, even in
the early spring, when the chipmunks first appear after a winter's
sleep. Now it is estimated that there are at least 20,000 chipmunks in
the cemetery, and a great deal of damage has been done. Through their
burrowing habits they have undermined the gravestones, and even in many
cases caused graves to sink in, when rainwater has helped to hollow out
their burrows.
The chief enemies of the chipmunks are the florists, for the animals
nip growing plants at the roots to reach the sap. One Brooklyn florist
says that since Decoration Day he has had to put in 250 new plants to
keep up an original plat of 150. Florists with contracts to keep graves
in condition have entered strong protests, but outside florists, who
work by the piece, have been making money.
The eight special policemen on the grounds have been furnished with
poisoned nuts to scatter about. No diminution has yet appeared in
the chipmunk army, as they reproduce three or four times a year and
increase fourfold in a season if not checked. But if poison fails
another trapper may be called in.
_Our Animal Friends_ says that some children were feeding chickens with
some stale bread one day, and two or three chipmunks appeared. They
wanted the bread, too, and every time the children threw a bit down,
both chickens and chipmunks would make a rush for it; and nearly always
the chipmunks got it. One of them was particularly smart; he gathered
all his pieces in a little pile between two stones, and he seemed to
keep one eye on them and the other on the lookout for fresh pieces all
the time. At last one of the chickens saw the pile and made a run for
it, but its owner got there first, and he just sat right down on the
top of the heap and _chattered_. The chicken kept on coming nearer
and looking rather as if he would fight for it, so Mr. Chipmunk sat
straight up, twirled his tail, and just seemed to shake with anger.
Then another came along to help him, and the two tucked all the pieces
into their pockets and off they darted, leaving the poor chicken
looking awfully disappointed.