124 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



Genus Evotomys CouEs. (Good — ear — mouse.) 

 Skull thin and smooth; molars of young- animals rootless, 

 those of adults rooted, rather weak, with rounded outer angles; 

 inner cusps of lower molars about equal to outer; basal part of 

 lower incisor passing on tongue side of roots of first and second 

 molars and on outer side of third; feet normal; tail round, one 

 third to one-half as long as head and body; size small. 



Evotomys californicus Merriam. 



CALIFORNIA RED-BACKED MOUSE. 



A broad indistinct band from eyes to rump sepia mixed with 

 black and gray; sides grizzled grayish brown, shading into the 

 whitish under parts, which are tinged with buffy and darkened 

 by the plumbeous under fur showing through ; tail bicolor, dusky 

 above, light brown or whitish below ; feet dull white. 



Length about 150 mm. (6 inches) ; tail vertebrae 46 

 (1.80) ; hind foot 19 (.75); ear from crown 8 (.30). Oregon 

 examples appear to be larger. 



Type locality, Eureka, California. 



This species inhabits the coast region of northern California 

 and western Oregon. But few specimens have been seen yet 

 and their habits are not very well known. I have taken several 

 individuals in redwood forests in Mendocino County, and they 

 probably occur further south. Mine were trapped on dry hill- 

 sides in thick forest, in traps set alongside old logs or at the 

 roots of trees. 



The habits of the California Red-backed Mice are probably 

 like those of the rest of the genus, which live in cool moist forests 

 and brush lands, and delight in deep shade and the cover of logs, 

 leaves and tangled weeds. Nests are built under logs, in under- 

 ground burrows, or under cover of old leaves. Though mainly 

 nocturnal somic species are sometimes seen in the daytime. All 

 sorts of seeds and green vegetation are eaten, and probably some 

 worms and insects. 



