ANIMALS OP NORTH AMERICA. 69 



field mouse ; but its usual mode of progression is very differ- 

 ent. Sometimes running on all fours, it more commonly 

 moves by leaping on its hind legs, particularly when pursued. 

 Its hind legs are more than twice the length of the fore ones ; 

 In this respect it resembles the Jerboa of Europe. 



Mr. Booth, of Orange County, New York, gives the follow- 

 ing description of this almost unknown little animal : " In 

 cross ploughing some years ago, my attention was taken up 

 by seeing something move off from near my plough-share, 

 over ridges and furrows, bearing some resemblance to an 

 old withered oak leaf. I pursued it, when it proved to be 

 ne of the above a female, with four young ones attached 

 to its teats." He says, also from observation, " they are 

 never seen in clear daylight, unless disturbed." 



THE LABRADOR JUMPING MOUSE (Meriones Americus or 

 Mus Leucopus} , found only in Labrador and the Hudson Bay 

 territory, completes this family as far as known ; but probably 

 the field for discovery among them is not exhausted. 



THE MARMOT tribe is represented in America, first by THE 

 COMMON WOODCHUCK (Arctomyx Monax), sometimes called 



the Ground-hog, or Maryland Marmot. This animal when feed- 

 ing, frequently rises on its haunches to reconnoitre, raising its 

 fore feet like hands. In this position, when the weather is 

 fine, it will sometimes sit for hours at the entrance of its hole. 



