FeB., 1912. MAMMALS OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN — Cory. 437 
The Prairie Mole is common throughout Illinois and at least the 
southern half of Wisconsin, as I have examined specimens from Prescott 
County, and Hollister records it from Camp Douglas, Juneau Co. (1. c., 
p.142). Itis quite common in the vicinity of Chicago and I have seen 
a dozen specimens taken in or near the city limits, including two from 
Jackson Park. Jackson states he saw what he assumed to be ridges 
made by this species at Galesville and Trempealeau, Trempealeau Co., 
Durand, Pepin Co., and Menomonie, Dunn Co. (J. ¢., 1910, p. go). 
From Illinois the Field Museum collection contains specimens from 
the northern, southern and western portions of the state. Wood re- 
ports it from Champaign County (/. ¢., p. 589); Howell records it as 
common in Madison, Alexander, Jefferson, Richland and Pope counties 
(I. ¢., TQI0, P. 33). 
The Prairie Mole is a burrowing animal and lives almost its entire 
life-time beneath the surface of the ground. Its huge fore feet are 
especially adapted for digging, enabling it to excavate subterranean 
galleries with ease. The results of its labors are often in evidence in 
lawns and gardens, in the shape of irregular ridges of earth which mark 
the course of its underground passages. The distance which under 
favorable conditions an animal of this species can dig in a single night is 
almost incredible. Audubon and Bachman state that one has been 
known to excavate a gallery several hundred yards in length, and 
Dr. Merriam informs us that he traced a fresh made burrow for nearly 
one hundred yards.* Moles are of decided benefit to the agriculturist, 
as their food consists largely of worms and insects of various kinds. 
They are also flesh eaters as well, and in captivity will eagerly eat 
fresh meat, but they are not vegetable feeders, although the depreda- 
tions of Field Mice, which make use of their runways, are often un- 
justly laid at their door. 
Regarding the habits of these animals Robert Kennicott says: 
“The proper food of this animal, like that of all other moles, is principal- 
ly insects, in search of which, it passes along just below the surface, 
raising the earth so as to form a ridge, whereby its track is readily 
traced in summer, when it does not usually go beyond 2 or 4 inches 
deep for food, except in very dry weather — the insects lying mostly 
near the surface. Its habits in winter are not well known, though it 
is certainly active at this time, when it doubtless travels readily below 
the reach of frost, in search of food, to which depth some kinds of 
insects then descend. It appears incapable of enduring much cold, 
however, and, though one has been known to come to the surface 
occasionally during thaws in winter, it is never observed to come out 
in severe weather, as its hardy relatives, the shrews, habitually do. 
*Mamm. Adirondack Reg., 1886, p. 155. 
