Page:Natural History of the Ground Squirrels of California.djvu/41

Rh On May 14, 1918, near the mouth of Caliente Creek wash, Kern County, in one corner of a 640-acre field planted to wheat, four large bare spots were counted by the junior author in an area of not over ten acres. These denuded areas were circular in shape and averaged 75 yards in diameter. They were caused by the ground squirrels having eaten and destroyed the ripening wheat and even the stalks so that nothing but weeds remained. In a single one of these denuded areas twenty-three occupied squirrel burrows were counted. In this same field, within a six-foot circle the center of which was a lone squirrel burrow, 113 heads of wheat were picked up (see fig. 14). These heads



had all been cut and carried to the burrow within three or four days, as they were not yet dry. This was evidently the work of a single squirrel, since no other squirrel was seen to go near the burrow. These 113 heads of wheat probably constituted part of what was intended for storing, and did not include that required for current consumption.

In gathering food California Ground Squirrels slink along slowly close to the ground, often half hidden in the grass. In gathering ripe alfilaria only the clusters of seed cases are taken, with relatively little of the stem. However, when the plants are young, the stems and leaves are much relished by the squirrels. The usual method of feeding as revealed by the binoculars, is for the squirrel to sit up on his haunches within reach of the alfilaria heads, which are dexterously gathered into little bunches by the front paws of the animal and then quickly snipped off by the sharp incisor teeth. During this last operation the head of the rodent is often inclined to one side. In gathering bulky food materials such as the heads of foxtail the cheek-pouches are not always used, the material being carried crosswise in the squirrel's mouth directly to the burrow.

On the San Joaquin River near Mendota R. M. Hunt (MS) reports seeing squirrels go out into the tules of the sloughs seemingly to eat the