bangs: the land mammals of Newfoundland. 515 



Newfoundland beaver is perfectly distinct, and skulls can be dis- 

 tinguished at once by either of two characteristics — the differently 

 shaped zygoma which give to the skull a triangular appearance, or 

 the very large and very roundish interparietal, both characters 

 showing in young as well as in adult skulls. The nasals are also 

 different in shape. The Newfoundland beaver, though much trapped 

 for its fur, still occurs in fair numbers in the remoter parts of the 

 island. 



The Arctic hare, Lepus arcticus bangsii Rhoads that occurs in New- 

 foundland is probably not confined to that island but ranges over the 

 adjacent parts of the Labrador peninsula north to Hamilton Inlet. 

 It is now very rare and local in Newfoundland, occurring only on the 

 tops of some of the higher mountains. Ever since the advent of the 

 American hare the native species has steadily decreased in numbers, 

 and it is now found only in places not frequented by L. americanus 

 struthopus. 



The Newfoundland caribou, Rangifer terraenovae Bangs, is a fine 

 island species peculiar to Newfoundland. It is still common, and can 

 be seen, especially during its migration, in very large bands. I am 

 informed by sportsmen, that during the last decade or so big heads — 

 such as my type — have become rare. 



Nominal List of the Mammals of Newfoundland. 



Myotis lucifugus lucifugus (Le Conte). 

 Not uncommon in summer. 

 Ursus americanus americanus Pallas. 

 Resident, not uncommon. 

 Thalarctos labradorensis Knottnerus-Meyer. 

 Occasionally reaches the island on ice floes; not resident. 

 Canis lycaon Schreber. 



Now very rare, perhaps nearly extinct in Newfoundland. 

 Alopex lagopus ungava (Merriam). 



Now and then the Arctic fox reaches Newfoundland in the same 

 manner as the Polar bear; not resident. 

 Vulpes deletrix Bangs. 

 Peculiar to Newfoundland. 

 Martes atrata (Bangs). 

 Peculiar to Newfoundland. 



