460 THE HAMSTER. 



and must not be confounded with the Long-tailed Field Mouse, which is not a vole at all, "but 

 a veritable Mouse. 



Family Muridee — the Mice-like animals, or Murine Rodents — embraces a large number 

 of species. In North America, however, only two sub-families are represented, Murines and 

 Arvicolince. 



The typical genus Mus has no representatives in this country, the mouse and rat being 

 introduced from Europe. 



Of the sub-family Murines, or Mouse-like animals of North America, the group called 

 Sigmodontes embraces all the species. This designation is adapted from a peculiar sigmoid 

 or S-like mark on the upper surface of the teeth. 



The genus Neotoma includes a small number of rat-like animals of large size. 



The Florida Wood Rat {Neotoma floridiana) is rat-like, and about the size of a Guinea 

 pig. It has a tail inclining to bushy. The Southern United States is its proper habitat. 



Three other species are known ; one, inhabiting California, is eleven inches in length, 

 the largest of the genus, and called the Bushy-tailed Wood Rat. 



The genus Sigmodon includes one species, the Cotton Rat {Sigmodon Mspidus). It 

 inhabits the coast region of the Southern States and Mexico. The pelage is hispid, from 

 the presence of stiff hairs. 



The genus Hesperomys is so named from its including Western murine animals. The 

 species are much like the Old World forms. 



The American Field Mouse {Hesperomys leucopus), called also White-footed Deer Mouse, 

 inhabits the northern portion of North America as far as Puget's Sound, and east as far as 

 Massachusetts. A variety is found in the Southern States, larger, being about four inches in 

 length, and with a shorter tail. Seven other species of this genus inhabit the Southern and 

 Western portions of the country. Three other sub-species are known, inhabiting the Western 

 plains. 



The genus Ochetodon includes three little mouse-like creatures, much like the Common 

 House Mouse in appearance, though having essentially different teeth. They are known only 

 in California and Mexico. 



In the sub-family Arvicolince is one genus with one species, the Red-backed Mouse 

 {Ewtomys rutilus). It inhabits the circumpolar regions, and is not uncommon in Massa- 

 chusetts. 



The genus Arvioola includes eight species, distributed over every portion of the United 

 States. The Common American Meadow Mouse {Arvicola riparius) is known to all parts of 

 the country above Virginia. 



The genus Synaptomys is represented by Cooper' s Mouse {Synaptomys cooperi). 



Myodes is a genus closely resembling that of Cuniculus, which embraces the Lemmings. 

 Myodes obensis is common to Asia and North America. 



The short, sturdy, stupid rodent which is so famous under the name of the Hamster, is 

 widely spread over many parts of Northern Europe, where it is an absolute pest to the agri- 

 culturists, who wage unceasing war against so destructive an animal. Before proceeding to 

 the habits and character of the Hamster, a short description of its external appearance will be 

 necessary. 



The color of its fur is a grayish-fawn on the back, deepening into black on the under por- 

 tions of the body, and softening into a yellow hue upon the head and face. The otherwise 

 uniform tinting of the fur is relieved by some patches of whitish-yellow upon the cheeks, 

 shoulders, and sides. The creature is furnished with two large cheek-pouches, which are 

 capable of containing a considerable amount of food, and which can be inflated with air at the 

 pleasure of the animal. The length of the adult Hamster is about fifteen inches, the tail 

 being only three inches long. 



The Hamster is most destructive to the crops, whether of corn, peas, or beans, and when 

 the autumn approaches, begins to plunder the fields in a most systematic manner, for the 



