276 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW 



The Star-nosed Mole, considered one of the commonest of the 

 Adirondack Region, is slightly longer than "naked-tail." The 

 fur is dark, brownish gray above and lighter beneath, the long 

 hairy tail resembles that of the muskrat and is used in swimming 

 and the snout is remarkable in that it bears 22 fleshy points. 

 It is found in the Northern part of North America, south through 

 the middle states and in the mountains farther south. It prefers 

 moist, swampy places and is often seen in the water and swimming 

 under the ice in winter, — indeed it seems to like swimming as well, 

 if not better, than digging. It has also been seen travelling over 

 deep snow in winter, diving suddenly out of sight if danger is 

 scented. This species seems to be more sociable than the common 

 mole, since it lives in colonies believed to consist of perhaps 

 twelve individuals. It feeds upon earthworms, aquatic and sub- 

 aquatic insects, crustaceans, and grubs. One in captivity refused a 

 wasp, a beetle, seeds, roots, and vegetable food, tho he ravenously 

 devoured insects, worms, and even a deermouse larger than 

 himself. 



The Oregon Mole, found in forested regions and in open valleys, 

 is the largest and handsomest in North America, and perhaps in 

 the world. It bears a blackish fur which has a purplish sheen, 

 the size and beauty of which has made it of value in the com- 

 mercial world. Since in parts of the cultivated areas it is con- 

 sidered a pest, because of the dulling of the knives of mowing 

 machines as they strike the numerous mounds of earth left by 

 these creatures, and the disfigurement of lawns, — the numbers 

 will no doubt be kept down by trappers who will take advantage 

 of this opportunity for supplying commercial demand, which is 

 very great if we may judge by the report of a Brooklyn dealer 

 who stated that he had dressed four million imported European 

 skins in 19 16. I trust that wanton destruction will not be the 

 result of what is deemed an important measure to control serious 

 injury to crops. 



The common Mole of Europe is distinct from, but closely re- 

 lated to the North American species, gathers in colonies, and 

 builds more intricate homes. One German naturalist believes 

 he has evidence that the European Mole stores worms for the 

 winter, biting off their heads so that they may not crawl away. 



The mole is unknown in Ireland, but is found in England, 

 Asia and Japan. 



