Citellus v[ariegatus]. douglasii [Elliot], Field Columb. Mus. Publ. 76, zoöl. ser. 3:183, May, 1903.
Citellus beecheyi douglasi [Grinnell], Proc. California Acad. Sci., 3 (ser. 4):345, August 28, 1913.
Otospermophilus grammurus douglasii [Miller], U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 128:18, April 29, 1924.
Citellus douglasii [Taylor] and [Shaw], Occ. Papers Chas. R. Conner Mus., no. 2:15, December, 1929.
Citellus beecheyi douglasii [Howell], N. Amer. Fauna, 56:150, May 18, 1938.
Type.—None. Description based on a hunter's skin from "Banks of the Columbia," probably near The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon.
Measurements.—A male and 6 females from Klickitat County, average, respectively: total length 469, 480; length of tail 181, 198; hind foot 58, 62; ear 26, 26.
Distribution.—The Columbia River Valley from Goldendale (W. W. D.) west to the White Salmon River (W. W. D.).
Remarks.—Ground squirrels have been common on the Oregon side of the Columbia River for a long time. The specimen upon which the description was based was presumably obtained there in the early 1800's. Yet the species did not become established in Washington until 100 years later, in about 1915.
The head is large with eyes and ears of moderate size. The body is rather stout; thicker than that of a tree squirrel but slimmer than that of the Columbian ground squirrel. Head and body are about 11 inches in length and the tail is about 7 inches long. The upper parts are dark brownish or blackish gray heavily marked with white spots. A triangular area at the shoulders is clear black outlined in whitish. The head and neck are grayish brown. The underparts are buffy. The tail is gray above and buffy beneath.