■ iMf '7 



\m^, 



330 



MONOGRArnS OF NORTH AMERICAN KODENTIA. 



tlie noil hern parts of tlie United States, and more closely resemble them 

 than do tlie specimens from Georgia and Florida. A series of twenty-one 

 sjx'cimcns from Southeastern Mexico and Yucatan (Orizaba, Tehuantepec, 

 and Mirador, Mexico, and T.terida, Yucatan) presents but slight differences 

 from those from the Atlantic States. The difference consists chiefly in the 

 rufous tinge being ratiier stronger in the Mexican specimens, which is seen 

 especially in the brighter color of the legs and feet. Yet specimens from 

 Tehuantepec and Orizaba can be almost exactly matciied by specimens from 

 the vicinity of Washington. The Mexican specimens are fully as large as 

 specimens from the Atlantic States ; the seven skulls from Tehuantepec (all 

 of which are, however, very old specimens), of whieh measurements are given 

 ill Tabic XXVII.T, average rather larger than those from the United State 

 Specimens No. 136 (from ilississippi) and No. 11439 (from Merida, Yucatan) 

 arc as near in color in every respect as two specimens from the same locality 

 can be expected to be. A specimen from the plains of Chihuahua is smaller 

 and rather paler, more nearly approaching variety nuttalli than variety 

 syivaticus. 



Southern specimens generally have the ears less covered than northern 

 ones, the feet less heavily furred, and the general pelage harsher and less full. 

 Southern specimens also show a tendency to decidedly longer ears than 

 northern ones. On the whole, however, this species presents much more 

 than the average stability of character. 



In the following tables, the measurements pertaining to the general size 

 have been taken from Professor Baird, my own material being essentially the 

 same as his; the measurements of the skulls are, however, all original. ' 



Var. NUTTALLI. 



Sage Hare. 



Variety nuttalli differs from var. sijlvaticus mainly in its paler tints and 

 rather smaller size; proportions the same. Above yellowish-gray or brownish- 

 white, varied with black ; sides of body and rump whitish. Hairs with long 

 black tips, as in var. si/lmticus, but with the subterminal zone pale yellowish- 

 wiiite. Under-fur grayish-plumbeous at base, passing into yellowish-brown 

 apically. Posterior part of the back and the rump mixed black and white. 



As compared with variety syivaticus, this form seems distinguishable 

 mainly by ur tints. Specimens from the plains of the Upper Missouri 



