Tamias lateralis saturatus [Rhoads], Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 1895:43, April 9, 1895.
[Spermophilus lateralis] saturatus [Elliot], Field Columb. Mus. Publ. 45, zoöl. ser., 2:83, 1901.
Citellus lateralis saturatus [Elliot], Field Columb. Mus. Publ. 105, zoöl. ser., 6:106, 1905.
Callospermophilus lateralis saturatus [Miller], U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:316, December 31, 1912.
Citellus saturatus [Howell], N. Amer. Fauna, 56:212, May 18, 1936.
Type.—Obtained at Lake Keechelus, 3000 ft., Kittitas County, Washington, by A. Rupert, in September, 1893; type in Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Measurements.—Ten males from the Cascade Mountains average: total length 305; length of tail 110.9; hind foot 46.5; ear 17 (dry). The weights of 3 males and 5 females average, respectively: 281 grams; 259.4 grams.
Distribution.—The higher and eastern Cascade Mountains from Barron ([Howell], 1938: 213) and Bauerman Ridge ([Howell], 1938: 213) south to Cleveland ([Howell], 1938: 213) and Goldendale (W. W. D.).
Remarks.—The golden-mantled ground squirrel of the Cascades is similar to Citellus lateralis but is larger and duller-colored. Head and body are about 8 inches in length and the tail is about 4-1/2 inches long. The upper parts are brownish gray with one pale and two dark stripes on each side. Head and shoulders are tawny. The underparts are dull buffy gray.
Citellus saturatus occupies the Cascade Mountains of Washington and southern British Columbia. It inhabits talus slides and clearings. The rock embankment of the Great Northern Railroad between the Cascade Tunnel and Leavenworth, Chelan County, is a favored habitat and the population along the railroad probably averages one squirrel each hundred yards. To the east it extends well into the Transition Life-zone, being abundant in clearings in the open forest of yellow pine. In places its range nearly reaches the Upper Sonoran Life-zone. A few miles east of Leavenworth, Chelan County, we found this squirrel in chapparal and brush, principally composed of Ceanothus creneatus. Here the animals were unusually abundant and formed a colony almost as dense as colonies of Citellus washingtoni.