MAMMALS 



309 



P. taylori (Thomas). Size very small, being the smallest of the 

 genus, and one of the smallest of rodents; length 97 mm.; tail 38 mm,; 

 hind foot 14 mm.; color pale drab; under parts smoky gray: coastal 

 region of Texas. 



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Fig. 165. — Oryzomys palustris {after 

 Stone cf Cram). 



Fig. 



166. — Sigmodon hispidus {after 

 Stone b' Cram). 



4. Oryzomys Baird. Body long and slender; tail long; belly not 

 pure white; fur coarse: 50 species, mostly in Mexico and Central 

 America; i species in the United States; the litter numbers 3 to 7. 



0. palustris (Harlan). Rice or marsh rat (Fig. 165). Body dark 

 brown above, paler beneath; length 240 mm.; tail 115 mm.; hind foot 

 30 mm. : southeastern States; in coastal marshes and wet lands. 



Subspecies of O. palustris 

 0. p. palustris (Har.). Southern New Jersey to South Carolina. 



