Mammals from Hamilton Inlet, Labrador. 



239 



FIG. 13. a. Left upper molar 

 series of Microtus pennsyl- 

 vanicus (Topotype No. 2336 

 Bangs coll.) 



b. I_,eft upper molar series of 

 Microtus enixus (Topotype 

 No. 3976, Bangs coll.) 



Microtus enixus Bangs.* 



Next to Evotomys, this species was the commonest small mammal about 

 Hamilton Inlet. It was found living every 

 where, but was especially abundant along the 

 banks of the brooks where a few reeds and 

 grasses grew ; 80 specimens were obtained. 



It is very distinct from all other eastern voles, 

 and is at once distinguished by its peculiarly 

 small, weak, molar teeth. (See figure 13.) 



Evotomys proteus Bangs. f 



The Evotomys was the commonest small mam 

 mal, and was found everywhere. No less than 

 99 specimens were collected. Several times 

 while walking through the forest Mr. Goldth- 

 waite discovered one sitting upon a spruce 

 branch ' like a squirrel.' I have never known 

 of this arboreal habit being noticed in other 

 species. The range of individual color varia 

 tion in Evotomys proteus is simply astounding, 

 and it seems incredible that extremes from the 

 series can belong to the same species, yet any 



specimen picked out can be graded by the most delicate steps into any 

 of the other extremes. The accompanying plate shows admirably a few 

 of the most pronounced color phases. 



The Hamilton Inlet and Fort Chimo red-backed mice are very different, 

 representing opposite extremes in the genus. The latter, lately described 

 by Vernon Bailey as Evotomys ungova,^. is a small form with small hind 

 foot, short tail, and little ears concealed by the fur. E. proteus is a very 

 large form, with heavy skull, big feet and tail, and large ears. 



Pheiiacomys ungava Merriam. 



The 10 individuals of this interesting species that were caught were all 

 found in one small area on the bank of a little brook, associated with 

 Microtus enixus. &nd Evotomys proteus. None were taken anywhere else. 

 Mr. Miller had this series when he wrote his ' Synopsis of the Voles of the 

 Genus Phenacomys,' and found that the form is much larger than true 

 P. ungava. It is very possible that more specimens from Fort Chimo 

 would show the Hamilton Inlet form to be worthy of separation. 



* Preliminary Description of a New Vole from Labrador, American 

 Naturalist, XXX, Dec. 5, 1896, p. 1051. 



t In Vernon Bailey's Revision of the American Voles of the Genus 

 Evotomys, Proc. Biol. Soc. of Washington, XI, May 13, 1897, p. 137. 



jLoc. cit., p. 130. 



