268 Mammals of Eastern Asia 
mus generally distributed in Siberia ; M. pelliceus from Ussuri ; 
and M. amurensis from Amur. In Japan exist the several races 
of M. montebelloi. Most of the foregoing are close relatives of 
M. oeconomus. Near Nanking, China, almost at sea-level, M. 
fortis calamorum is found. Typical M. fortis occurs in Shensi. 
The mountainous country east of the highlands of Tibet is the 
home of M. clarkei (Yunnan) and M. millicens (Szechwan). 
Rabbit-tailed Meadow Mice, genus Lagurus, are circum- 
polar forms resembling Meadow Mice but have the tail reduced 
to a mere stump. The ears are so small as to be almost concealed 
by the hair, and the soles of the feet are thickly hairy. The prin- 
cipal species is the north European L. migratorius. The species 
L. lagurus occurs in inner Siberia and L. przewalskii in Mon- 
golia. Representatives should be looked for also in the Siberian 
Maritime Province. 
Species of Lagurus less specialized than the Old World mem- 
bers are found also in western North America. 
The color is usually drab yellow to ochre-yellow above, drab 
gray beneath; the tail bicolored, the feet ashy gray. Length of 
head and body is 4 inches, tail % inch, hind foot % inch. 
The Mole-like Meadow Mice, Ellobius, are possibly the 
most specialized of all the Meadow Mice. The ears are rudi- 
ments, the tail a mere projection. The fur is soft and plush-like, 
as becomes animals that live mainly underground. The claws, 
contrary to expectations, are short, for these Mice are reputed to 
do their digging with their teeth instead of scratching with the 
claws. Their range extends from eastern Europe to central Asia. 
One form, E. talpinus orient alis, occurs as far east as eastern 
Mongolia. The color of the back in this species varies from 
bright cinnamon to sandy ; the belly is whitish. There is a dark 
area on the face and forehead. Length of head and body, 4*4 
inches, tail, % inch, hind foot, % inch. 
The Duke of Bedford's Vole, genus Proedromys, contain- 
ing the single species P. bedfordi, was discovered in Kansu. It 
