FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



Geographical Distribution. — Practically all of North 

 America south of 60° north latitude; in the west north to 65°. 



Food. — Mostly seeds and grains, small nuts and dry vege- 

 table food as contrasted with the green and succulent diet 

 of the Meadow Mice; rarely carnivorous. 



Enemies. — Preyed upon by many species of Owls, some of 

 the Hawks, Weasels, Foxes, and practically all of the small 

 carnivorous mammals, Snakes. 



vSpecies and Subspecies of the Genus Peromyscus. 



This is a very large and widely-ranging genus and its mem- 

 bers are generally the commonest small mammals of any given 

 region. However, the differences between the various forms 

 are often too subtle to depict in a short, written description 

 and in many cases the most satisfactory basis for identification 

 will be the geographical distribution. The various subspecies 

 frequently merge insensibly into one another, so that it may be 

 difficult to assign individual specimens if they come from such 

 an area of intergradation. Most of the forms of this genus 

 conform to a bicolored pattern, that is, clear white underparts 

 in marked contrast to darker upperparts. 



Subgenus Peromyscus 

 Maniculatus Group 



Labrador White-footed Mouse. — Peromyscus maniculatus 

 maniculatus (Wagner). 

 As described above. Found in "Hudsonian Zone of north- 

 eastern Canada, from the northeastern coast of Labrador to 

 the west side of Hudson Bay and south to the border of the 

 Canadian Zone to meet the range of P. m. gracilis.'' (Osgood) 



Le Conte White-footed Mouse. — Peromyscus maniculatus 

 gracilis (Le Conte). 

 Less dusky than typical maniculatus, with longer tail and 

 smaller hind foot. Upperparts varying from russet to 

 isabella color. Total length, 7-8 inches; tail vertebrae, 

 3.2-4.5 inches; hind foot, .8-.88 inch. Found in "North- 

 eastern United States and southern Canada from northern 

 Minnesota east through northern Wisconsin, Michigan, 

 Ontario, Quebec, New York, and western New England. 

 Canadian Zone." (Osgood) 



Nova Scotia White-footed Mouse. — Peromyscus maniculatus 

 abietorum (Bangs). 

 Paler and grayer than gracilis; upperparts nearly uniform 

 drab, median dark area scarcely developed. Total length, 



350 



