76 RODENTS OP IOWA 



Of course in localities where these mice are abundant they cause 

 some damage to grains, orchards, and nursery stock. Since they 

 are abroad during the daytime more than the preceding species, 

 they are subjected to the attacks of a greater number of enemies 

 than are the northern white-footed mice, a fact which serves to keep 

 down their numbers somewhat. Skunks, minks, weasels, hawks, 

 owls, crows, herons and bitterns, the larger harmless snakes, and 

 domestic dogs and cats are all efficient in keeping down the num- 

 bers of this mouse. 



Of the control measures which may be employed, those offered 

 in the discussion of the preceding species will be found effective. 

 A further suggestion as to a method of poisoning may be mentioned 

 here and one which has the advantage of not placing in danger the 

 lives of domestic animals and birds. Instead of scattering the grain 

 on the ground, place the poisoned w^heat in short pieces of drain 

 pipe, having a diameter of one and one-half inches. The pipes are 

 then placed on the ground near the burrows or nests where the mice 

 may readily enter. 



This seems to be the more ahundant of our white-footed mice, and 

 many specimens are at hand from Corning, Jefferson, Thayer, Wall 

 Lake, Ottumwa, Melvin, Waukon. Rodman, Ocheyedan, Logan, and 

 Homestead. The species has also been recorded from Knoxville and 

 from Clay and Palo Alto counties. See also the map on page 71. 



PRAIRIE HARVEST MOUSE. 



ReithrodontO'mys megalotis dijchei Allen. 



Eeithrodontomys dychei Allen, Bull. Am. ^Mus. Xat. Hist., VII, 

 120,1895. 



Description:- — Winter: Color above brownish buff' mixed with 

 black, the middle line above in many cases noticeably darker; sides 

 grayish buff, tbe lateral line on some specimens well marked; ears 

 brownish, thinly clothed with huffy hairs on inner surface, a tuft of 

 brownish buff hairs in front of their bases ; color below white ; feet 

 white; tail dark brown above, white below. Summer: Colors less 

 strongly contrasted and the general color browner. 



Measurements. — Total length, 5.25 inches; tail vertebrae, 2.25 

 inches; hind foot. 0.65 inch. 



