563 
jured that those remaining are not worth harvesting. Grain, either 
from the standing crop or from the shock, is likewise taken down 
into their burrows. 
The piles of earth thrown up from their runways disfigure the 
fields, cover the crops more or less, and are in the way of the har- 
vester or mowing-machine. 
It has been urged in favor of the pocket-gopher that it benefits 
the soil by working it over; by burying vegetable matter, which 
decays and increases fertility; and by bringing the deeper layers of 
the soil under the influence of the atmosphere. However this may 
be, when the gopher prosecutes this system of cultivation in the 
midst of a meadow or an alfalfa field his efforts are not appreciated, 
and he must go. 
There are but few pests more easily gotten rid of. The simplest 
and safest way under ordinary circumstances is to trap them. The 
most satisfactory trap is the ordinary No. 0 steel one. To set it, 
dig down to the burrow, choosing a place one or two feet from a 
recently cast-up dirt pile. Be careful to remove all dirt dropped into 
the runway. Excavate.a slight hollow and set the trap so that it 
will be nearly on a level with the bottom of the run, and sprinkle 
it over with fine dirt, nearly covering it. Cover the opening loosely 
with a bit of board or sod, not excluding quite all the light. 
This gopher may be poisoned by introducing poisoned grain (see 
final note) into the burrow through a small hole. The use of poison 
always involves some risk, but it can seldom be more safely used 
than for the pocket-gopher. 
JUMPING MOUSE; HUDSON BAY JUMPING MOUSE. 
Zapus hudsonius (Zimmermann). 
Dipus hudsonius Zimm., Geogr. Gesch. d. Menschen u. vierfiiss Thiere, II., 1780, 
De sige 
This is a northern species, ranging from the southern shores of 
Hudson Bay south to New Jersey and, in the mountains, to North 
Carolina, west to Iowa and Missouri, and northwest to Alaska. 
It seems to be nowhere abundant. Kennicott reported it from 
the northern part of the state, but we have no Illinois specimens. 
It may be recognized by its long hind legs and its long jumps when 
escaping pursuit. Its color somewhat resembles that of the white- 
