Maynard on the Mammals of Florida. 39 



28. Hesperomys leucopus Wagner (= cogis^atus, my- 

 oiDES et GOSSYPixus of autliors) . White-footed Mouse. — 

 This Mouse is very abandant throughout all sections of 

 the mainland of Florida, infesting the houses of the smaller 

 settlements after the manner of the common mouse. I 

 have also known this to occur in New England, especially 

 in isolated buildings. I can see no reason why the so-called 

 gossyjjinus should be separated from leucopus, as I can find 

 no constant character which would entitle it to a specific 

 rank. 



29. Hesperomys aureolus Wagne7\ Golden Mouse. — 

 I obtained two specimens of this beautiful little mouse near 

 Dummett's. Both of them were captured in a house 

 where the common species [leucojnis) was also abundant. 

 This was in the spring of 1869, but since that time I have 

 never been able to find another, and the people who brought 

 the specimens informed me that they were quite rare. 



30. Hesperomys palustris Wag. Swamp Mouse. — 

 The first instance of my finding this species in Florida was 

 at Miami. There was an old cistern here which was form- 

 erly used by the troops wdiich were stationed at old Fort 

 Dallas. It was about ten feet deep, having cemented sides, 

 and contained nearly two feet of water. Several species of 

 the smaller rodents w^ere frequentlj found dead and floating 

 on the surface, having evidently fallen in while attempting 

 to reach the water. Among them was a specimen of the 

 Swamp Rat. As this was the only instance of my taking 

 it in the southern section of the state I am unable to give 

 any account of its habits there. But I found it in immense 

 numbers at Salt Lake, inhabiting the moist prairies. Here 

 they build nests near the tops of the grass, somewhat after 

 the manner that the White-footed Mouse builds in bushes 

 at the North. 



