91 



reduce, their feeding and the nature of the food taken during 

 these periods of propitious behavior should not be without inter- 

 est to the farmer. 



Soils that are frequently cultivated and fields of closely cut 

 grass are the least subject to infestation by any of the species 

 except the mole. Sod ground is one of the favorite hunting 

 resorts of this latter animal. 



ABUNDANCE. 



The seclusion in which these animals live makes it difficult 

 to form an intelligent idea of the numbers in which they actually 

 occur. Their abundance undoubtedly far exceeds the popular 

 notion in regard to the matter, and, if it were possible to give 

 here the figures representing the exact mouse, mole and shrew 

 population of West Virginia, the statement would probably be 

 more often discredited than otherwise. 



For several years I have been devoting considerable time to 

 a study of the distribution and habits of these little mammals 

 in different sections of the state. In pursuing this study I have 

 necessarily collected hundreds of specimens, principally by 

 trapping. In systematically collecting over one piece of ground 

 for several weeks at a time some estimate will naturally be 

 formed as to the number of individuals that frequent a given 

 area. I have several times, and under varying conditions, col- 

 lected in this systematic manner and as the work has been 

 carried on I have from time to time revised and extended 

 my estimates as to the average number of animals occurring per 

 acre in the localities studied. 



Of the total number of all species found in the average 

 locality, it may be estimated that half will be moles and shrews 

 and the other half mice. 



