EVOTOMVS RUTILUS GAPPERI. 27 1 



looked so like a little fifer playing- on an ebony fife that laughter was 

 irresistible. " '''' 



EVOTOMYS RUTILUS GAPPERI (Vigors) Co«es. 

 Rcd-backcd Mouse ; Loiig-cared Wood Mouse. 



The Red-backed Mouse is abundant in all parts of the Adirondacks. 

 It occurs on the summits of the tree-covered mountains as well as in 

 the deepest valleys. It is essential])' a wood species in its local dis- 

 tribution, rarely fre(|uenting the beaver meadows or the fields of the 

 farmer. It often enters the woodman's camp, and I have sometimes 

 cauo'ht it even in the luxurious lotj-houses which have, durino- the 

 past few years, supplanted the old-time shanties in many parts of 

 the Adirondacks. 



It feeds upon beechnuts and a variety of seeds, berries, and roots, 

 and also, at certain times in tlie winter season, ui)on the bark of 

 shrubs and trees. The beech, maple, ash, and bass suffer most 

 severely from its attacks, and in the order named. The bark is 

 generall}- removed in irregular areas from the large roots just above 

 the ground ; but sometimes saplings, and e\en trees a foot (305 mm.) 

 or more in diameter are completely girdled to the height of three or 

 four feet (approximately 9i5 to 1220 mm.). The damage thus done 

 to our deciduous groves is sometimes great, but does not compare 

 with the ravages committed by the field mouse [Arvicola ri pari us). 



The Wood Mouse is terrestrial, like the other members of the 

 Arvicolinc series, and commonly lives in burrows in the ground. It 

 sometimes makes regular runways similar to those of the field mouse, 

 but usuall)- travels freely over thc! surface, not confining itself to any 

 prescribed course. It is both diurnal and nocturnal. I have shot it 

 at noonday, scampering over the leaves in the deep woods, and 

 dod(dno- in and out between the rocks of a lake shore. I have also 

 seen it after dark in shanties and log-houses ; and have caught many 



* American Naturalist, Vol. V, No. 12, Dec, 187 1, pp. y^S-?^'?- 



