496 



U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



The general color of this animal above is a mixed black and light reddish brown, the latter 

 color predominating on the sides, so much in some specimens as almost to constitute a stripe ; 

 on the dorsal region it is much obscured by black tips to the hairs. The under parts are of a 

 soiled yellowish white, the line of demarcation passing low on the cheeks and belly, where the 

 white does not occupy scarcely more than one-third of the entire circumference. The exterior of 

 the limbs, including anterior and posterior edges, is like the back, the color coming down to the 

 very wrist of the hand, and not only reaching to the ankle joint of the hind foot, but extending 

 over the metatarsus to the bases of the toes. This character is constant in all the California 

 specimens I have seen. The tail is uniformly dusky all round ; not lighter below. 



The fur is rather long, coarse, and somewhat stiff. I have not been able to detect any under 

 fur, even in winter specimens. 



The five specimens from Santa Clara and Petaluma all present a striking constancy in the 

 great length of tail and its dusky color, the dusky hind feet, and other characteristics. In 

 many respects size, color, dusky feet, &c. there is a very close resemblance to the Neotoma 

 occidentalis^ from which the nearly naked tail will at once distinguish them. 



The considerably longer tail, dusky feet and tail, and larger size, will readily distinguish this 

 species from all the others described as North American. 



List of specimens. 



NEOTOMA OCCIDENTALS, Cooper. 



Hairy-tailed Rat. 



Neotoma occidentalis, (COOPER, Mss.) BAIRD, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. VII, April, 1855, 335. 

 Neatama dntmmondii, ABD. & BACH. N. Am. Quad. I, 1849, 223 ; pi. xxix. 



SP. CH. Size that of the Norway rat. Fur rather harsh, not compact. Tail densely hairy ; the vertebra; as long or 

 longer than the body, exclusive of the head ; above, broadly grayish lead color, the basal wool but little lighter. Posterioi 

 third of soles furred. Body above, brownish plumbeous, with a slight mixture of yellowish brown. Under parts of bod} 

 and tail, with feet, bluish white. 



In size this animal equals or exceeds the Norway rat, Mus decumanus, to which, however, witl 

 its large ears and bushy tail, it has little resemblance. The whiskers are stiff, and longer than 

 the head ; the head elongated and acute. The eyes rather large. The ears large, broad, and 

 thin, scantily clothed with pretty long hairs. The feet are moderately large ; the thumb, a^ 

 usual, a rudimentary tubercle or knob, with a broad nail ; the fourth finger longest ; the third, 



