Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-14
Prairie Ground Squirrels.

~ one IS driving along the roads or
Western Kansas it is not an infrequent
occurrence for a slender little animal
10 scurry across just in front OF the
team. then turn. and standing on his
hind feet fearlessly watch YOU pass.
While hurrying along the stripes and
dots of the little prairie squirrel are
conspicuous. and when he faces you MS
dark bright eyes are the noticeable
feature. He is gentle creature as his
countenance shows, and there IS some
thing almost pathetic in his standing
there so plainly exposed to danger.
When on I'll tours" even a small clOd
would b. as a mountain to him in OBJ
Srructinc mis- view: so the little fellow,
when his curiosity is aroused. always
stands erect upon his mind feet. l have
sometimes looked doTn from an up
stairs window and noticed one OF the
prairie squirrels very near the house.
and light tapping on The WindoW-pane
would cause him 20 Immediately as
s,lnl.. his usual attitude of observation.
Whether or not the squirrel ever
glanced Up and saw nc | do not know.
but he was evidently on the alert for
danger. And his hone was near-it
was less han two rods from the house.
TIE striped prairie squirrel is some
times known by the name of thirteen
lined squirrel or Federation squirrel.
This name vas given 1t III 1871 because
If IN. <i~ or eight rows of longitudinal
S,,jues with i've or seven rows Of spots.
b.tNccn suggesting the stars and
stripes ~ the thirt"cn original States.
When breaking ground last spring
tn" prairie squirrels came very near to
ne in m. ir search for edible bulbs. In
fact they paid no attention to the
plowman. and it seemed that while
searching for food the little company
Vas enjoying all their usual social
Measures. But the most pleasing part
Of the scene was to watch a squirrel
eniuv q meal-he would grab a little
bulb aud while resting on his hind
feet in a half-eraCt attitude, cunningly
hold the bulb betWeeh his front feet
ana nibble away, al parently caring
nothing for my close proximity.
The wild onion is abundant on our
Western parties, as is also the grass
hopper, and as the striped prairie
squirrel is particularly fond of both the
9srasshrpper and the bulb of the wild
onion, he must consider this a land OF
plenty. And the wild onion not only
serves to satisfy the appetite of the
little squirrel, but for month or more
in the spring it's numerous clusters of
flowers add much to the attractiveneSs
IF the prairie. The TWO varieties 50
common here are low growing and
have either pink or pink and white
striped starshaped flowers. The
striped prairie squirrel is also fond of
the bulb of the sheep sorrel but /
doubt if that plant is found on our
Western plains.
One morning last October a striped
prairie squirrel became frightened at
| my approach and darted into the near
| est hole-a hurrow larger than her own
| home. | stopped to watch proceed
| iuss. In 4 little while the squirrel
came to the mouth of the hole and
looked out. hut seeing me and no other
cause for alarm. she again disappeared
| in the burrow. But she seemed I'M
easy and kept returning every few
minutes TO look the field over. And
| soon the ca LSe of her anxiety was eX-
planned. This time when she made
her survey she SAW a gray ground
squirrel approaching. and although he
was smaller than the cause of her first
alarm. she was evidently more afraid
for him 10 find her in his home than to
brave an open run. Bur the gray
squirrel had noticed the trespasser
and instantly started in pursuit A.
soon. however. as he noticed my pres
ence he abandoned the chase and rar
into his burrow. The striped prairie
squirrel soon disappeared in another
burrow. presumably her own. And
noticed its location. and then knew
that had been between her and he
own home. and this was the cause o
her seeking shelter in the burrow o
the gray ground squirrel. This Incl
dent occurred in Eastern Kansas
How far West the gray ground SPUR
rel is found | do not know. I thinl
there are none Of them in Ford county
and doubt if they are found at all oI
the Western plains.
| The burrows Of the little striped
| priirie squirrel are VERY numerous OF