190 



BRANCH VERTEBRATA. 



FIG. 325. 



Ge'bmys bursci'mvs. Pouched Gopher. (J.) 



FIG. 326. 



The Pouched Gopher is so called from its curious 



hair-lined cheek-pouch- 

 \*. es. These open exter- 

 nally, and are used, not 

 for carrying out sand 

 from its burrow, but 

 for carrying food. 



The common Rats 

 and Mice have naked 

 tails ; five toes on the 

 hind feet ; and four on 

 the front, with a sort of wart representing a thumb. 

 The Meadow Mouse is known from the winding shallow 

 paths it traces in the 

 grass around its nest. 

 The Deer Mouse dwells 

 in the woods, in trees, 

 and sometimes in 

 houses. Besides being 

 arboreal, it is peculiar 

 in being partially car- 

 nivorous. Because of their singing powers, specimens 

 are often domesticated. Its adult coloration is locally 



varied, but is always 

 some shade of buff 

 above, and snowy-white 

 beneath, while the 

 young are ashy-gray. 

 These local varieties in 

 color have mainly led 

 to the naming of sev- 

 eral varieties as differ- 

 ent species, with needless confusion in their classification. 



Ar vie' o la ri pa' n a. Meadow Mouse. ( J.) 



FIG. 327. 



Hes per' b mys ku' co pus. 

 Deer, or White-footed Mouse, 



