180 BULLETIN NO. VIL. 
Total length 6.45; trunk 3.25; tail 3.20; nose to eye 0 50; nose 
to ear 0.90; palms 0.84; soles 0.80; ears 0.55. 
It must be remembered that measurements of prepared speci- 
mens in which age and sex are, for great part, neglected, are 
eminently untrustworthy. Could such sources of error be 
eliminated probably much of the variability assumed would 
disappear. Although, therefore, the size of Minnesota speci- 
mens seems slightly to exceed the average of the eastern form, 
there is no certainty of this, our measurements giving the full 
normal size. On the other hand the length of the tail and the 
size fully distinguish our deer mice from the Arctic variety 
which is characterized by a shorter tail and larger size. The 
size is about as in the nominal variety ‘‘myoides,” but the tail is 
not generally as long as the head and body. Our specimens 
may be unhesitatingly compared with those from northern New 
England. Students of these animals should be warned that the 
length even of the tail and feet, particularly the former, 
changes considerably in drying, hence, only fresh measure- 
ments are of positive value ina critical discussion. As we have 
but three quite distinct forms of the numerous styles of Ves- 
perimus in Minnesota we are happily rot required to meddle 
with such matters. 
“It [the white-footed mouse] is a good climber, and I have 
often found its nest in holes in living trees, more than seventy 
feet above the ground. While on a snow-shoe walk witha 
friend one bright moonlight evening, several winters ago, one 
of them was observed skipping lightly over the snow a short 
distance ahead. We gave chase, but the mouse escaped by 
running up the trunk of a smooth-barked beech hard by. My 
friend, who was not aware of its climbing propensities, looked 
on in amazement while the mouse, with as much ease and 
nimbleness as a squirrel, ascended the tree and disappeared in 
a knot-hole high among the branches. 
‘‘The white-footed mouse does not hibernate. Except during 
the severest weather, its tracks may be seen on the snow 
throughout the winter, its long tail leaving a furrow by which 
it may always be recognized. In the autumn it lays up an im- 
mense store of provisions for so small an animal?.” 
In forest regions beech-nuts are said to usually furnish the 
winter larder and it is not rare to find several quarts thus 
stored away. Kennicott speaks of having found within a 
(1). Mammals of the Adirondacks, p. 263. 
