_Type._--Obtained on the western bank of the Columbia River "about 300 miles above its mouth" (probably near the mouth of the Walla Walla or Touchet river; more exactly, opposite Wallula, in Benton County, Washington) by J. K. Townsend in July, 1836; type in Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. _Measurements._--Ten adults from Mabton and North Yakima, Yakima County, average: total length 212.2; length of tail 45.7; hind foot 33.9. _Distribution._--The Upper Sonoran Life-zone area of the Yakima Valley from Ellensburg (Howell, 1938: 63) south to the Columbia at Kennewick (W. W. D.). _Remarks._--This race is probably derived from _C. t. mollis_ of Oregon, from which it is but slightly differentiated. It was known for many years as _Citellus mollis yakimensis_. For use of the name _townsendii_ see Howell (1938: 62). The head and body are about 6-1/2 inches long and the tail is about 2 inches in length. The head is large with low, rounded ears and large eyes. The neck is distinctly constricted and the body is plump. Adults are "pot-bellied." The legs are short and the feet small. The tail is short, round at the base but bushy throughout the rest of its length. The pelage is short and rather harsh. In color the upper parts are yellowish gray flecked with tiny, pale dots. The underparts are buffy. The face, thighs and tail are reddish buff. Ground squirrels occur in parts of Europe, Asia, and much of western North America. Howell (1938: 36-37) recognizes eight subgenera and thirty-one species in North America. Three subgenera occur in Washington, namely: _Citellus_, the spotted ground squirrels, represented by _Citellus townsendii_, _Citellus washingtoni_ and _Citellus columbianus_; _Otospermophilus_, the long-tailed ground squirrels, represented by _Citellus beecheyi_; and _Callospermophilus_, the striped ground squirrels, represented by _Citellus lateralis_ and _Citellus saturatus_. All ground squirrels are diurnal and consequently are familiar to man. Most species bear local names and the striped or mantled ground squirrels are often mistaken for chipmunks. Some species are destructive to crops, especially grain. In addition they harbor sylvatic plague. Economically the genus _Citellus_ is of great importance in Washington.