58 WILD ANIMALS OP GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. 



the flesh is as delicate and delicious as that of quail or any other game 

 animal, and the woodsman who knows the habits of wild animals can 

 usually carrj^ a trap in his pocket and li\e comfortably on woodrats 

 and other small game, including ground s(iuirrels and pocket gophers. 



I<\)i;F.s'r AViiiTE-FOOTED ]M()usp: : Pcromi/scits manicndatus artcmisim 

 (Rhoads). — These little white-footed or woods mice may be known 

 by their large thin ears, long slender tails, pure white feet and 

 lowerparts, and buffy-gray or bluish-gray upperparts. While tiny 

 animals themselves, they are slightly larger than the Plains species 

 (P. m. osf/oodi), and have relatively larger ears and longer tails. An 

 adult female from McDermott Lake measured, in millimeters : Total 

 length, l'.)l; tail, 95; hind foot, 22. 



These are probably the most abundant mammals of Glacier Park, 

 although they are rarely seen and their presence is often unknown. 

 They occupy the whole timbered area, of the park from the valley 

 bottoms up to timberline and in some cases even above, among the 

 rocks of the open slopes. Few animals have the ability to adapt 

 themselves to a wider range of climate and general environment. 

 Through the woods they live in hollow trees or logs, among the 

 broken rocks at the base of cliil's, in the little caves and caverns of 

 the cliifs, or in underground burrows which thej' make for them- 

 selves or appropriate from other animals. An abandoned pocket- 

 gopher burrow w'ill often provide homes for a dozen of them, while 

 \'acant dons of ground squirrels, chipmunks, or other mice are ap- 

 propriated, and even camjjs, cabins, chalets, and hotels are taken 

 ])ossession of in a way that is sometimes only anuising, but at others 

 annoying. All they ask is a safe and well-sheltered corner or cavity 

 for their nest and family, soft material from which to make their 

 nests, and plenty of almost any kind of food. In helping themselves 

 to these necessities they sometimes infringe u])on the property rights 

 of others and fall into more or less disfavor. Generally, however, 

 their presence in the park is not seriously detrimental and they fur- 

 nish much interest and anmsement, especially in buildings to which 

 they come at night to scamper about the floors in search of stray 

 crumbs and scattered bits of food. 



They are strictly nocturnal in habits and do not become active 

 until about the time the lights are turned on. Artificial light seems 

 not to trouble them, however, and they often go scampering through 

 camp and occasionally nuiy be seen playing about the corners of the 

 main hotel corridors or rimning from one place of concealment to 

 another over the flooi's, much to the amusement of the guests, and 

 especially of the children. I caught a number of them in m}^ hands 

 and kept some in captivity for several days to study their habits 

 more closely. Generally they were nervous and timid when cap- 



