CANADIAN CUNNING-MICE 
Abbott, Sharp, Cram, and others. A small cousin of the 
common eastern meadow mouse plentiful in the woods and 
fields of the northwestern states is the red-backed mouse; 
the prairie region has a gray, harshly haired species; while 
the pine mouse is numerous in the South, and is the smallest, 
reddest, and most subterranean of its kind. 
Closely related to these are the lemmings of northern regions, 
which in general are larger, more thick-set animals, with power- 
ful digging feet, long, dense fur, and very short tails. 
In one (Dicrotonyx) of the American genera, the fore feet are strangely 
altered every winter, apparently to fit them better for the incessant digging 
which must be done in moving about 
under the snow or soil, whereas in sum- 
mer this mouse spends most of its time 
above ground. The thumb of the fore 
foot is a mere tubercle, but the other 
toes are well developed and clawed, 
especially the two middle ones, and in 
summer are not at all remarkable. As 
winter comes on, however, a great horny 
pad forms underneath each of the two middle claws and remains there 
until spring, when it gradually loosens from the nail and sloughs off. 
Winter Summer 
PADDED TOES OF DICROTONYX. 
These lemmings all live in high latitudes or among cold moun- 
tains, and hence are more given to the protection of underground 
houses and a long winter hibernation; but their food Lem- 
and habits are not greatly different from those of ™78* 
their more southern relatives. Several related species exist in 
northern Canada, and like their arctic European brethren 
turn white in winter; but interesting is the true lemming of 
Scandinavia, whose celebrated migrations have never been 
satisfactorily explained, but are evidently similar to the 
‘“‘plagues”’ of mice alluded to above. 
The lemming is about three inches in length on the average, 
but is very variable in size and color, with a triangular, prettily 
striped face, scarcely visible ears and tail, and strong curved 
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