236 Fretp Museum or Narurar History — Zoéxocy, Vor. XI. 
So few specimens have been taken in Illinois that we know very 
little as to its habits in the state. Thus far it has been taken only in 
Hardin, Champaign, and Marion counties. The specimens recorded 
by Wood as found dead near Urbana, Champaign Co., were “on a 
low bluff overlooking a creek, in pasture land where there were stumps 
and scattered trees.” (J. c., p. 56.) In southern Illinois, however, 
they seem to prefer swampy localities, as do those which have been 
taken in Missouri. 
Mr. A. H. Howell found this species common at Horseshoe Lake, 
St. Charles County, Missouri. He says, ‘‘A large colony had occupied 
a low marshy meadow close to the Mississippi River. At the time 
of my visit the water in the river was very high, and the meadow was 
overflowed to the depth of 12 to 18 inches. The mice had been driven 
from their burrows by the high water, and were hiding as well as they 
could on tussocks and under patches of floating debris. When dis- 
turbed they ran rather slowly over the submerged vegetation and 
swam freely, but were easily overtaken. Many had been killed by 
dogs or other predatory animals, and I was able to get as many speci- 
mens as I needed by catching them in my hands. The burrows in this 
meadow were on little hillocks, the entrances near the top. Thus they 
are probably dry except in times of very high water. The entrances are 
perfectly open and not concealed under vegetation as is the habit of 
Synaptomys cooperi in the eastern States. Well beaten runways 
extended out from the burrows and under the dead vegetation.” 
(L.c., P. 30.) 
Mr. Howell secured a single specimen of Synaptomys in Illinois, 
which he provisionally referred to this form. It was taken in an old 
dry marsh at Odin, Marion Co. He states that it agrees with gossii 
in color, but the skull is too young to be properly identified (J. ¢., p. 30). 
Specimens examined from Illinois and adjoining states: 
Illinois — Rosiclare, Hardin Co., 11; (I. S. L.) (intermediate between 
gossit and cooperi) Urbana, Champaign Co., 2 (only one with skull). 
Missouri — (B. S.) Horseshoe Lake, 6. 
Towa — (N. M.) Knoxville, 1. 
Indiana — (Not typical, intermediate between gossii and cooperi but 
averaging nearer cooperi) Bascom, 2; Mitchell, 2; Hebron, 1; Brook- 
ville, 1=6. 
