Star-nosed Mole 



Northern North America, south to the mountains of New 

 Jersey and the Alleghanies. 



This is a distinctly northern animal, occurring for tne most part 

 above the range of the common mole. Its habits seem *.o be 

 essentially similar to those of the latter species, though, according 

 to Prof. Baird, it constructs its burrows at a greater distance 

 below the surface of the ground. Dr. Merriam, who found it 

 common on the edge of the Adirondack wilderness, though not 

 in the coniferous forests, says: "Its habits, so far as I am aware, 

 resemble those of its nearest relative (Sea/ops aqitaticiis), except 

 that its mounds do not contain a chamber and surface-opening, 

 and its galleries are usually made a little deeper. Like this species, 

 it is most common in dry meadow lands, while the star-nosed is 

 usually found in moist and swampy places. It is not known to 

 indulge in the little 'noonday excursions' which are character- 

 istic of the last-named species." 



On the Pennsylvania Alleghanies this mole occurs in com- 

 pany with various other northern animals and birds, which find 

 there, in the higher altitude, the same congenial conditions of 

 environment that prevail at lower levels much farther north. 



Star-nosed Mole 



Condylura cristata (Linnaeus) 



Length. 6.80 inches. 



Description. Dark brownish gray, paler beneath, tail long and 

 hairy sometimes very thick at the base. Snout with a re- 

 markable naked appendage, somewhat resembling a star. 



Kjiiifc. Northern North America, south through the middle states 

 and farther in the mountains. 



The star-nosed mole is a creature almost as well-fitted for 

 a partially aquatic life as the otter and mink, and, as a matter 

 of fact, does pass most of its time about the water; pushing ex- 

 tensive tunnels through the black peaty soil of swamps and along 

 the borders of little brooks and ponds. The soft, black loam is 

 thrown up in frequent heaps a foot, more or less, in diameter; 

 the opening of the burrow being under the bank, and as often 

 beneath the water as above. The tunnel itself must frequently 

 be flooded to the great discomfort of its inmates. 



190 



