Drummond Vole 531 



trary. Meadow-mice are also devoured by the common large- 

 striped or garter-snake {EutcBuia sirtalis), and are undoubtedly 

 eaten by another garter-snake (Eutcenia radix), which is our 

 most abundant reptile on the prairies. They are also found 

 in the stomachs of the milk-snake {Ophibolus eximius) and of 

 the large fox-snake {Scotophis vulpinus). All the larger snakes 

 probably prey upon them in other localities. The most abundant 

 species of arvicolcc in this region are inhabitants of the prairie, 

 and have less to fear from the small timber-loving carnivorous 

 mammals than those living in the woods. Minks, Skunks, 

 and Weasels, however, when inhabiting the prairie, devour 

 many, Foxes also eat them, and Prairie-wolves dig open their 

 burrows and feed largely upon them. Badgers, no doubt, also 

 destroy many. As stated, in noticing the Striped Spermophile, 

 that animal makes many a meal upon them, as well, perhaps, 

 as Franklin's Spermophile. Domestic cats hunt them eagerly, 

 eating them in preference to House-mice. It is to be observed 

 that the flesh of the arvicolce is sweet and delicate, without the 

 disagreeable flavour of the House-mice, being, in fact, quite 

 palatable. Judging from the astonishingly savage and carnivo- 

 rous propensities exhibited by some specimens, in confine- 

 ment, it is highly probable that, where abundant, they may 

 frequently devour each other. After the annual fires have 

 burned the grass on the prairies, numerous nests of the 

 arvicolcB may be found on the ground, the inmates of which, 

 unable to escape, have often been killed, furnishing a feast 

 to the many Hawks, Owls, etc., which flock to these grand 

 barbecues." 



In Touchwood Hills, Sask., Edwin Hollis found this Vole 

 much subject to the attacks of cuterebra or warble. 



The Mice of this group do not hibernate. Throughout non- 

 the intensest cold of the north-western winter the Drummond nant 

 Vole is as active as ever, quite contented so long as it can keep 

 out of sight, in the various runways that form its village deep 

 among the herbage under a snowdrift. 



