184 



DIVISION OF ORNITHOLOGY AND MAMMALOGY. 



XoRTH American Faun'A Xo. 5. 



Eesults of a biological reconnoissance of south-central 

 Idaho, C. H. Merriam (pp. 1-113, plates 4, figs. 4). — The reconnois- 

 sance was made by the author and his assistants during August, Sep- 

 tember, and October, ISDO, in Idalio, south of latitude 45° and east of 

 the 38th meridian. The rejmrt inchides an itinerary, descriptions of 

 the several regions traversed, a provisional detinition of the life zones 

 of Idaho, check and annotated lists of the mammals of Idaho with descrip- 

 tions of new species, an annotated list of birds observed in Idaho dur- 

 ing the reconnoissance with notes on species previously recorded from 

 the State, and an annotated list of reptiles and batrachiaus collected by 

 the ex])edition, prepared by L. Stejneger. 



Idalio imsiuts groat diversity of physical featuros. comprising iuimousc conifer- 

 ous forests, ranges of lofty rugged mountains, fi-rtile grassy valleys, arid sagelirusli 

 plains and alkali deserts, and it is about equally divided between the Boreal [alti- 

 tudes above 7,500 feet] and Sonoran [altitude below 6,400 feet] life zones. Its mam- 

 mal fauna is correspondingly rich and varied. Sixty-seven species and subspecies 

 of mammals are now known from the State and the number will be increased by 

 future exjtlorations. The principal additions are likely to come Irom the bats and 

 arvicoliiie mice, and, except in so far as the former grou}i is concerned, the numeri- 

 cal relations of the several families are not likely to be disturbed; heuce a statement 

 of the number of genera and sj)ecies in each may l>o of interest. For couvenienee 

 subspecies are hero treated as species. The Horeal grouj) MititiluUv leads in genera 

 but not in species, having 8 genera and 9 species. The family Mmidiv comes next in 

 number of genera and outranks the Muxtclitla' in species, having 7 genera and 13 

 species, and the number of species is likely to be slightly increased. The Sciitriilw 

 is represented by 5 genera and 10 si)ecies; the Crrvidn' hy i genera and 5 species; 

 the BovuUv by 4 genera and 4 species; the Canidw hy 2 genera and 3 species; the 

 /'eZirfte by 2 genera anil 2 species; thv Sorkidw lunl lAporidw each l)y 1 genus and 4 

 species; the Savcumi/idw V»y 2 genera and 2 species; the dcomttidiv by 1 genus and 2 

 species; the Ursidai by 1 genus and 2 species; and the follow ing families by 1 genus 

 and 1 species each: Hiintricida', Zapodidw, LayoiHijidtv, Ca^loridw, I'roc!/o)ndw. The I'es- 

 pertilionida; is probably represented by 3 genera and 4 or 5 species. The genera most 

 largely represented in species are, Arricoia 5, /S/JcrmojjAi/MS 4, Lcpim 4, Sorex 4, 

 Tamias 3. No other genus has more than 2 species. 



The new species and subspecies of mammals dcscribiMl are Sorcv 

 idalioensin, iS. dobnoni, <S. ra(/rans nimHis^ <hn/(hi>mi/.s huviKjastcr hrrri- 

 caudus, Hesperomys crinltiiti, Arvicola macro2)i(-s^ A. iiiord((.i\ A. tuuius, 

 Pheiiacomi/s orojyhilK.s, EcotnmiiH idahoensis^ Tlnnnomi/.s clu.sii(,s fiiscus, 

 Lepiis idahocnsis. The list of birds includes l.~)7 species. A new sub- 

 species of owl, named the dwarf screech owl {Mega^scnpN Jianinicolm 

 idahoensis), is described and illustrated in a colored plate. 



Descriptions of a new genus and two new species of 

 North x^iekican mam:mals, C. II.^]\Iekria:m (pp. 115-11!>). — A new 

 genus and spt'cies of dwarf kangaroo rat {Microdipodops mi!i(irrpli<(h(,s) 

 from Nevada is described from six specimens collected in Nevada in 

 October and November, 18".M) ; and a new subsix-cies of red-backed mouse 

 {Erotoinys (/((ppcri hrrrinanlKs) is described from two specimens collected 

 in the Black llills of South Dakota in -lulv, 1888, 



