72 The Ohio Naturalist. [Vol. X, No. 4, 



am'thiiig to eat. The house mouse is distributed in most 

 inhabited regions of the world. It was introduced into America 

 from Europe ahiiost with the first settlers from the latter country. 

 Its original home is said to be southern Asia from whence it has 

 been carried on ship board to all the land areas and then across 

 country by different modes of travel until it has reached its 

 present distribution. This species, although so widely distributed, 

 is uniform in its characters which designate it and differences 

 in environment seem to change it in no perceivable way, as if it 

 has developed characters which are perfectly fittecl to the 

 conditions under which the various specimens live. An interest- 

 ing comparison along this line may be made with some of the 

 American species of white-footed mice. A species that is widely 

 distributed over the continent exists in thirty-five different 

 recognized varieties but the house mouse distributed all over the 

 world is Mus niusculus everywhere. 



Species that mav be looked for in Ohio are the following: 



Zapus insignis Miller. Woodland Jumping Mouse. Has 

 been taken in western Pennsylvania and may be expected in 

 eastern Ohio. Size larger than the meadow jumping mouse, 

 ears longer and coloration paler. Premolar teeth are present in 

 the other species of jumping mice but absent in this one. The 

 species is an inhabitant of deep woods rather than meadows and 

 fields. 



Microtus austerus (LeConte). Prairie Meadow Mouse. 

 Reported from Indiana, and possibly is a resident of western 

 Ohio. Brayton reported this species, but as near as can be 

 determined his specimens were the northern pine mouse. It may 

 be known from the 'common meadow mouse by the slightly 

 shorter tail and the grayer coloration as well as by the pelage 

 appearing coarser. 



Evotomys gapperi (Vigors). Red-backed Mouse. Known 

 from Pennsylvania and if procured in Ohio the northeastern part 

 of the state most likely will furnish it. The species is said to 

 inhabit low woodlands and swainps and to remain in such 

 situations nearly all the time. The species is a near relative of 

 the common meadow mouse, but smaller and with a chestnut 

 color which usually serves to distinguish it readily. 



Peromyscus nuttalli (Harlan). Northern Golden Mouse. 

 Specimens are known from central Kentucky and Rev. W. F. 

 Henninger believes it is to be found in southern Ohio. The 

 color of this mouse at all ages is suggested by the name and is 

 a distinguishing characteristic. It is reported as partial to low 

 ground, and, as a usual thing, is not abundant anywhere within 

 its range. 



