Dr. N. Severtzoff on the Mmnmals of Turkestan. 53 



Bugun, where it is abundant. My specimens, four in number, 

 differ from Siberian examples in the darker and more yel- 

 lowish colour [snpra cano-fidvescens pilis permultis nigris 

 ohumhrata) ; but the first molar tooth consists of only eight 

 prisms, which is a good character of A. gregalis^ as all the 

 other Arvicolce have nine. The size, length of tail, ears, 

 and all other characters are similar to those of the Siberian 

 specimens. 



43. Mus Wagneri. 



Is an extremely common resident throughout Turkestan, 

 and is to be found in the hills up to 4000 feet high (/. e. in 

 the cultivated districts and on the grassy steppes). 



44. Mus Wagneri^ var. major [M. tokmak'^^ n. sp. ?).* 



From the typical form this race differs only in its larger 

 size, in which it approaches M. sylvaticus^ which has also some 

 resemblance to the small M. Wagneri. I am sorry to say, 

 however, that the large as well as the small specimens which 

 I preserved in spirits were left at Tashkent. 



I will mention here that this mouse is a steppe-inhabitant 

 in the Ural, as well as on the Kirgies steppes ; but in Tur- 

 kestan, where M. musculus is absent, M. Wagneri is the 

 house-mouse. It is numerous in the Chimkent and Tashkent 

 houses, where it does not differ at all from the Kirgies-steppe 

 specimens. The large variety I have obtained in a house in 

 a village built in 1864. 



This domestic breed of M. Wagneri get soon used to men 

 if they are not disturbed ; they are easily startled, but not shy 

 or wild, and extremely inquisitive. In my room in Tashkent 

 one of these mice lived, Avhich used to creep up on my table 

 when I was writing. It fed in my presence on the remains of 

 my dinner or supper ; often sat even on my books, watching 

 my hand when writing. It would even eat from my hands ; 

 but as soon as I moved it tried to hide itself between the 

 books on the table, and after a very short time appeared again 

 at the old place. It appeared to be quite tame ; so that once 

 I caught it with my hands in order to feed it ; it got, hoW' 

 ever, frightened, and never appeared again, notwithstanding 

 my leaving out food for it ; it had evidently lost its confidence 

 in me. 



* [Mr. Blanford has since described 'Hhe common house-mouse of 

 Eastern Turkestan " as a new species, under the name of M. pachyeercus ; 

 he regards it as most nearly allied to M. backtrianus : Journ. Asiat. Soc. 

 Beng. xliv. p. 108.— E. R. A.] 



