mus 877 



hind foot, 20 ; ear, 1 3. Adult female from the type locality : 

 hind foot (in alcohol), 19 -8. For cranial measurements see 

 Table opposite. 



Specimens examined. — Six, three from Nolsoe (Edinburgh and Copen- 

 hagen), and three from Myggenses (Copenhagen). 



Remarks. — The Faeroe house mouse differs so conspicuously 

 from all other known members of the group, that however recent 

 the animal's origin may have been there seems no doubt that 

 the form is a distinct species. The enlarged extremities may be, 

 as suggested by Dr. Winge, the result of changed habits duo to 

 a climbing life among the cliffs of the islands ; but in view of 

 the fact that a similar tendency is shown by two of the resident 

 birds of the Faeroes, it seems more probable that the characters 

 of all these local forms has been determined by some more 

 general factor of climate or food. 



The only species with which Mus faeroensis is likely to be 

 confused is Mus muralis of St. Kilda. But the size of the Faeroe 

 mouse is noticeably greater, and the peculiar thickening of the 

 feet is carried to a more noticeable extreme. The general colour 

 of the body is darker than in Mus muralis, essentially as in 

 ordinary specimens of the house mouse, and the underparts and 

 feet show no tendency to become whitish. 



" mus spicilegus Petenyi. 

 (Synonymy under subspecies.) 



Geographical distribution. — Eastern and southern Europe, 

 west to Portugal, Hungary and Sweden. 



Diagnosis. — Size less than in Mus musculus, the head and 

 body rarely attaining a length of 90 mm., the hind foot in adults 

 ranging about from 15*4 to 18 mm., condylobasal length of 

 skull, 19 to 21 "4 mm. ; tail noticeably shorter than head and 

 body (exceptions very rare) ; colour of underparts usually 

 whitish in abrupt contrast with that of sides ; upper incisor 

 with sub-apical notch less developed than in Mus musculus. 



Colour. — For detailed descriptions of the colour see accounts 

 of subspecies. In the yellower races the colour is strikingly 

 different from that of Mus musculus. In the browner forms the 

 general aspect is much like that of the house mouse, but the 

 back is a clearer less dusky brown. 



Remarks. — Mus spicilegus is a strictly agrarian animal, found 

 in fields, scrub, and open, dry forest, and never inhabiting towns. 

 It is undoubtedly indigenous to the Mediterranean region. 

 Related forms occur in the corresponding life zone of north 

 Africa and of Asia Minor and central Asia. Among the 

 European representatives of the species three races may be 

 distinguished, one of which ranges somewhat further north than 

 the others. 



