MEADOW MOUSE 



from the Meadow Mice, which they rather closely resemble, 

 by the more or less conspicuous, reddish, dorsal band. When 

 this band is lacking, as is sometimes the case, the distinction 

 is not so apparent. As a rule, the closer, softer pelage, longer 

 ears, and rather more slender form will identify the Red-back. 



Good places to seek these Mice are about old logs or in 

 mossy, overgrown localities. They are diurnal as well as 

 nocturnal in habit and usually do not occur in large colonies 

 like the Meadow Mice. They may be trapped in the same 

 spots as Microtus, and use the runaways of the Meadow 

 Mice in some places, but are not restricted to tunnels cut 

 in the grass and wander about freely, at least in temperate 

 regions. In the North the Red-backed Mice go to the limit 

 of trees and are even found on the tundras. They do not 

 hibernate but tunnel under the snow and move about in the 

 dead of winter as freely as in summer. 



The number of young varies from four to eight and there are 

 several families a season wherever the environment is favor- 

 able to these Mice. The young are bom in a grass-lined 

 nest which is usually under the surface of the ground, but 

 may be under a log, rocks, or in some surface shelter. Young 

 have been noted from early April to October. 



Genus Microtus' 



Dentition: Incisors, {; Canines, §; Premolars, ^; Molars, f = i6. 



Meadow Mouse. — Microtus pennsylvanicus 



and related forms 



Names. — Meadow Mouse; Meadow Vole; Field Mouse; 

 Field Vole; Vole. Plate XXX. 



General Description. — A medium-sized, robust-bodied 

 Mouse, with long, loose pelage and comparatively short tail. 

 Ears short, well haired, not projecting much beyond pelage; 

 legs of normal length, hind legs not elongated; tail covered 

 with short hairs; sole of hind foot with six tubercles; claw of 

 thumb pointed; molar crowns bounded by a series of angles; 

 molars rootless; upper incisors simple, ungrooved; pelage 



^ For a detailed revision of the Meadow Mice see Vernon Bailey, 

 North American Fauna, No. 17, 1900. Many forms have been since 

 described, however. 



