432 VEliTEBRATA. 



thus does aome damage to the farmers, wherefort — though it is a very pretty, soft, gentle, and 

 well-meaning creature — it is held in disesteem by that large and influential class of persons. 



This species, which is rather nocturnal in its habits, builds its nest near the surface of the 

 ground, and brings forth from two to five a1 a birth. The young sometimes adhere to the teats 

 of the mother, and she may be Been thus dragging them along od the ground. They live in low 

 grounds, and do not visit dwellings or outhouses, al leasl in the United States, though they are said 

 to do so in Canada. They are easily tamed, and in this state, sit on their haunches and comb 

 and clean their fur. and come to the bars of their cage for food. This, as well as all other species 

 of mice, are devoured in large numbers by owls, hawks, and various kinds of small carnivora. 



The Yellow-cheeked Meadow-Moi be, A. xantkognatka, is eight inches long, dark brown 

 on the hack and silvery-gray beneath, lives in low grounds, and burrows in hanks near ponds and 

 water-courses, and makes long naileries; it is partially nocturnal, and feeds on roots and grasses. 

 It is found in Labrador and around Hudson's Bay. 



Drum monk's Meadow-Mouse, A. Drummondii, is a little over four inches long, and is found 

 in the valleys of' the Rocky Mountains. 



Baird'e A.rvicola, A. austerus, is five and a half inches long, and inhabits the State of Wis- 

 consin. 



The Northern Meadow-Mouse, A. Borealis, is four and a half inches long, and lives near the 

 Great Bear Lake. 



The California Meadow-Mouse, A. alas, is five and a half inches long, and is found in Cali- 

 fornia. 



The California Arvicola, A. Californica, is somewhat larger than the preceding, and is found 

 in the same region. 



The Western Meadow-Mouse, A. occidentalism is a trifle over four inches long, and is found 

 in Oregon. 



The Jersey Field-Mouse, A. campestris, is three and a half inches long, and is found in Not 

 Jersey. 



The Soxora Field-Mouse, A. Sonoriensis, is three and a quarter inches long, and is found in 

 Sonora. 



The Red-sided Field-Mouse, A. rubricates, is found on the shores of Beh ring's Straits. 



The Glossy Field-Mouse, A. Dc Kai/ii, is three inches and three-quarters long, and is found 

 in the western part of the State of New York. 



Woodiiouse's Field-Mouse, A. apella, is four and a half inches long, and is found in Penn- 

 sylvania. 



The Oregon Meadow-Mouse, A. Oregoni, is a very minute species — three inches long — and 

 is found near the Columbia River, in Oregon. 



Peal's Meadow-Mouse, A. montana, is four and a half inches long, and is found in California, 



The Sharp-nosed Arvicola, A. nasuta, is five inches and three-quarters long, and is found 

 from Massachusetts westward to Michigan. 



The Kick Meadow Mouse, A. orizivora, is five inches long, and lives in the rice fields 

 < leorgia and South < 'arolina. 



Richardson's Meadow-Mouse, A. Richardsonii, is seven inches long, and is found near the $ 

 of the Rocky Mountains. 



The A. Texana is but a trifle over two inches long, and is found near El Passo. 



The Texan Meadow-Mouse, A. Texiana, is four and a half inches long, and is found in Texas, 

 along the rivers Brazos and Grande. 



Leconte's Pine-Moi be, A. pi Hi lorn m, has some resemblance to Wilson's Field-Mouse, and \e 

 found in some of the Atlantic States. 



Gums < i\I>AI KA : Ondatra. — Of this there is a single species, the well known Mi serai or< 

 Mi 3Qi \-n, 0. Zibethica, the Castor Zibethwus of Linnaeus, found only in North America, Itt 

 head, neck, and legs are short, and its thighs hid in its body. Its length is fifteen inches, its tail 

 ten; its color reddish-brown above and ashy gray beneath. The fur is short and downy, and waa 

 formerly much used as a substitute for beaver; it is still in demand, and the animal is every- • 



