Pueblo chieftain., 1921-12-04
SMALL GAME, COMMON MNAME
LITTLE KNOWN AST0HABITS
Cotton Taied Jack, Snow-Shoe Rabbits: Northern Tree
Rock and Grey Squirrels and Chipmunks.
In This Group

and rocky territory and keeps into the
Nooueu districts when found in the
I'iountain regions. 1t feeds on clover
amd grass roots, grass blades, and
1ehoer shoots of weeds in the summer.
IN the winter bark of. shrubs and
winter-killed sage provides nourisb~
| ment.
IN the winter the fleet footed antma |
aies holes under rocks and hollow
loss' nesting or doing in the sun on
warm days. 1t lies In thick brush in
the summer, and when pursued often
scurries beneath a rock
me Jack rabbit is well known to
most westerners who have perhaps
nunted the long legged and evasive
animal over the hills in this section. Its
aoits are much the same as the cot
ION tan altho 1t is not seen in the high
ATTITUDES as the former. Jack is a
uehixen OF the fields and feeds upon
altslta. shrubs, and tender roots. often
causing much damage to young fruit
orchards.
The Snowshoc rabbit Is seldom seen
only oy the rangers and inhabits the
highlands, as 1t rarely strays below
svpv rect and goes as high as IL 900
rect. 1t prefers ridges of Engelmann
spruce and aspen trees and Is often To-
Gated browsing in the brush I'm Doug
as nr on north slopes. Sustenance in
winter is obtained from burrowins in
,o ths snow. often at great depths to
get at tender shoots of shrubs. Ten
Ger roots. grasses. and running san
rom trees contribute to the food of the
.orager In the summer. For its den II
DIGS deep in the snow to connect with
hoies in hollow logs or under rocks.
" the squirrels. the Northern Tree
Narie'y Is the only well known tree
cumper. the others confining their ac-
.Nity to the ground for the most part
ana depending upon their speed to
protect them. 1t keeps well into the
nishiands and seldom leaves the tim
uer, ~ chatters noisily from a safe
part OF Tree at passing animal or
person. The winter months find 1t
seed stored the previous fail. In othe,
seasons II survives on grasses. cones.
ana weed roots. Cones are dilirentJv
cut by Its teeth from tree tons and
piied about the foot where they are
sovereo with brush until the wintry
pantry. w '"e'r
The Rock squirrel Is true to the
squirrel type In most of its character
sues with the exception that 1t dwell.
among the rocks and climbs very lit
lie. Another name often given n Is
Boomer" squirrel. His habits are gen
orally closely allied with the Northern
iree variety. but his kind more fro
auently have their abode among the
yshow pine than Engeimann spruce.
ae skuiks under rocks and in hollow
loss At any sign OF approach. and tho
iemale builds her nest there also.
Inc Gray squirrel lives I'm much the
same manner as the Northern Tree
SQUIRREL. His food when obtaina BILE
consists OF nuts to great extent.
The Chipmunk is perhaps the most
prominent member of the squirrel
family and Is best acquainted with
mountaineers and summer tourists
from whom he Jnooches' an easy Nv
Ing in tho summer. In other season.
the Chipmunk must resort to grass.
roots. berries. nuts. etc. He is a live,
~ animal for he is usually the last
nrst to appear IN tho spring, Lor,
holes, rock proclivities and the
ground shelter Chipmunks as they are
not tree climbers. Few records have
ever oeen noted of one climbing a
tree over IL feet in height. Nuts. grain.
ana tree seeds are stored under rocks
before the winter sets in.