Drummond Vole 



527 



The number of the young varies from 4 to 8, and it is 

 more than hkely that one pair may produce 6 broods in the 

 season between April and November ist. 



On the ground this species usually trots; it rarely springs speed 

 like the tree Mice. It can, however, climb. Those which I kept gait 

 in cages climbed about on the wires as readily as Deer-mice. 



w-?N 



CJ 



w 

 \ 





// ^^T^ 



\., 



M 



Fig. 153 — Mastologyof: i. Evotpvtys aihahascce; 2. Microtus drummondi; 3. Perotnyscus arcticus, 



(All half life size.) 



They were active chiefly at evening, but were ready to not 

 get up and stir themselves at any time. Doubtless, as with nal 

 most animals, including man, their ideal time is the 'cool of 

 the evening.' During summer in the far north diurnalism is 

 of course obligatory. 



I do not know of any peculiar feature in the food habits of food 

 this species. Its staples are wild grasses. Like its kind, it 

 is content with grain, grass, or garbage, and will readily eat 

 flesh or insects. 



Recent researches, however, by A. F. Shull,'- at Ann Arbor, 

 show that, while the Mole-shrew habitually preys on snails, the 



'^Am. Nat., Aug., 1907, pp. 495-522. 



