ANIMALS OF ONTARIO. 87 



appointed by the British Board of Agriculture, of which the Earl of Minto, 

 our late Governor-General, was a member. Evidence was given before 

 this committee by about eighty farmers and shepherds and by several 

 gamekeepers, their testimony proving conclusively (i) That the effect of 

 the outbreak was to practically destroy all crops ; (2) That the cause of 

 the increase in the number of Voles was the destruction of hawks, owls, 

 stoats, weasels, and other natural enemies of the voles; (3) That remedies 

 are expensive and difficult of application. Poison on small enclosed areas 

 was efficacious, but its application over farms, even if practicable, would 

 be attended with much risk to other forms of life. Cats, though tried on 

 a large scale, were of no service whatever. Large numbers wre killed by 

 men and terrier dogs ; systematic work by a man and several dogs giving 

 better results than any other system employed. 



The committee finally reported : "It would be difficult to condemn too 

 severely the foolish action of those who allow or encourage the destruc- 

 tion of hawks and owls. It is with much satisfaction that your committee 

 record that many farmers and land owners seem to have become convinced 

 in late years that owls of all sorts are not only harmless, but most bene- 

 ficial to agriculturists, and have issued orders for the preservation of those 

 birds." 



Our position in Ontario may at any time, if we are not careful, 

 resemble that of the Scotch farmers in 1892. It would be well, therefore, 

 for our people to exert their best influence for the protection of the hawks 

 and owls at once, in order to avert what may develop into a very serious 

 calamity. 



GENUS EVOTOMYS. 



(*) (9) Evotomys gapperi. 

 (Red-backed Vole.) 



Probably generally distributed, but the only recent record I have is 

 that of Mr. Allan Brooks, who took it in the County of Wellington. 



GENUS PHENACOMYS. 



(*, (10) Phenacomys latimanus. 



As this animal ranges from Labrador to western Ontario it should 

 be found in the northern part of the Province, but I have as yet no positive 

 record of its occurrence here. 



GENUS PEROMYSCUS. 



(i i i Peromyscus leucopus. 



(Deer Mouse, White-footed Mouse.) 



Common and generally distributed. A very graceful, active species. 

 It will occasionally take up its residence in a house or barn, and is then as 

 troublesome as the common House Mouse. During the winter months it 

 often occupies a deserted bird's nest, particularly those in hollow trees. 



