THE SKOMER BANK MOUSE 419 
position. The tint mentioned would quite well describe the Grass 
Mouse, which is ready enough to attack woods in times of 
superabundance. It is, however, most probable that Bank 
Mice are often present amongst the hordes of Grass Mice in 
‘“‘mouse-years.”’ Great numbers of mice were reported from 
woods at Faldonside, Berwickshire, in the winter of 1882-1883, 
and a specimen sent to Mr James Hardy? for identification 
proved to be of the present species. In 1888 the Bank Mouse 
was very abundant in Leigh Woods, Bristol District, having 
been seen in small scattered parties of eight or ten travelling 
steadily down the valleys.’ 
There are few records of the longevity of this mouse, the 
maximum duration in the Zoological Society’s Gardens having 
been fourteen months. 
THE SKOMER BANK MOUSE, OR DRANE’S MOUSE. 
EVOTOMYS SKOMERENSLIS, Barrett-Hamilton. 
1903. EVOTOMYS SKOMERENSIS, G. E. H. Barrett-Hamilton, Proc. Roy. Irish Acad, 
11th May, 316 ; described from Skomer Island, Wales (type specimen, No. 3.7.4.3 
of British Museum collection); Trouessart; Miller; Pycraft, British Museum, 
Guide to British Vertebrates. 
1903. EVOTOMYS SCOMERENSIS, R. Lydekker, Zoological Record, Mammals, 34 
(misprint). 
1905. EVOTOMYS HERCYNICUS SKOMERENSIS, J. G. Millais, Mammals of Great 
Britain and Ireland, ii., 250. 
Distribution :—This mouse is only known from Skomer Island, off 
the coast of Pembrokeshire, Wales. 
Description :—It differs from the Common Bank Mouse in its larger 
size ; in the exceptionally light and bright colour of the upper side, which 
is in sharp contrast to the buffy white under-side; in its large, massive 
skull, and in the complicated form of 7°. 
In late winter or spring the mantle is broad, encroaching consider- 
ably on the paler sides; its general colour is between “ orange rufous,” 
bright “cinnamon rufous,” and “ madder brown.” On the face, sides of 
the head, and flanks the bright rufous tints are less conspicuous, running 
through light “hazel” or “vinaceous cinnamon” to a dull “ greyish buff.” 
The rump and the upper side of the sharply bicoloured tail are “ mummy 
brown.” The under-side of the body and tail, with the legs and feet, are 
whitish, usually with a very perceptible wash of yellowish on the belly. 
The large, unusually ridged and angular skull needs no comparison 
' Proc. Berwickshire Nat. Club, x., ii., 278, 1885. 2 H, J. Charbonnier. 
