MaminaJs from Hamilton hilcf, Labrddor 



239 



Microtus enixus Bangs.* 



Next to Evotdmijs, tliis species was the coiiini(ine«t siiuill iiiaiiniial aliout 

 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 lo.) 



Evotomys proteus Bangs.f 



The Evotomys was the connnonest 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 Ecotomijs 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 at-companying plate shows admirably a few 

 of the most pronounced color phases. 



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

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

 l)y Vernon Bailey as Evotomys' uv(java,X is a small form with small hind 

 foot, short tail, and little ears concealed by the fur. E. 2>roteus is a very 

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



Fig. 13.— a. Left upper molar 

 series of Alicrotiis pennsyl- 

 vanicus (Topotype No. 2336 

 Bangs coll.) 



b. Left upper molar series of 

 Microtus enixus (Topotype 

 No. 3970, Bangs coll.) 



Phenacomys ungava ■Nlerriam. 



The 11) individuals of this interesting species that were caught were all 

 found in one small area on the bank of a little ])rook, associated with 

 MicrotKs enixus and Evotoinys 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 tluxt 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 (jf the Genus 

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



tLoc. cit, p. 130. 



