149 



1829. Fiammonys pinetorum, LeConte, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., iii, 

 1829, 132, p]. ii. (Name inept.) 



1831. Pitymys pinetorum, McMurtrie, Am. ed. Cuv. R. A., i, 1831, 434. 



1842. Pinemys pinetorum, Lesson, Nouv. Tab. R. A., 1842, 12. 



1842. Arvicola scalopsoides, Aud. & Bach., Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 

 viii, 1842, 299 (Long Island).— Wagner, Wiegm. Archiv., 1843, 

 53.— LeConte, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., vi, 1853, 409. 



1851. Arvicola pinetorum, Aud. & Bach,, Q. N. A., ii, 1851, 216, pi. Ixxx. 

 LeConte, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., vi, 1853, 409, 



1853. Arvicola apella, LeConte, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila , vi, 1853, 405 

 (Pennsylvania).— Aud, & Bach., Q. N. A., iii, 1854, 289. (Same 

 as LeConte's.) 



1857. Arvicola (Pitymys) pinetorum, Baird, M. N. A., 1857, 544. — Allen, 

 Bull. Mus. Comp. Zobl., i. No. 8, 234 (Massachusetts ; rare; pro- 

 bably its northern limit ") ; op. cit, ii. No. 3, 184 (Florida. — Coues, 

 Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1874, 191 ; Men. N. A. Rodentia, 

 1877, 219. 



Description. — In length of head and body this Mouse ranges from 3.25 

 to nearly 4 inches, averaging about 3.50; the tail is from .60 to .95 inch 

 to end of vertebra, and is shorter than the head, and but little longer 

 than the hind feet. The fore feet are longer, comparatively, than those 

 of other Arvicolas, and are broader than the hind feet. The claws of fore 

 feet are long, and the whole foot " fossorial" in character. There are five 

 callosities on both palms and soles. The ear is short, hidden in the fur-; 

 the whiskers are Si orter than usual ; the muzzle is obtuse and nearly 

 covered with fur. 



The color varies from rich, glossy chestnut or light bay to a dull brown 

 above ; deep plumbeous below. Very young animals are plain mouse- 

 gray. 



The general aspect of the animal is quite mole-like, suggesting to 

 Audubon and Bachman the name Mole Arvicola (Arvicola scalopsoides).^ 



Distribution and Habits. — This little animal is found throughout the 

 eastern United States, from Massachusetts to Florida, east of the Missis- 

 sippi River. It has also been identified from Kansas and Oregon. It is 

 very abundant in some of the southern States, and said to commit depre- 

 dations on vegetables, seeds, and grain. While it derives its specific and 

 common name from the fact that it is found in pine woods, Audubon and 

 Bachman state that it is not particularly partial to woodland, nor found 

 in the low situations frequented by the Common Meadow Mouse, but 

 affects chiefly high, level fields with dry soil. 



