FAUNA OF NEBRASKA. 121 



the Platte, the Missouri and the Republican, where they could not 

 build dams, they constructed excavated houses in the banks. 

 Sections of trunks of cottonwood are yet found along these rivers, 

 from eight to fourteen inches in diameter, which were gnawed off 

 by beavers. They are now mostly confined to western and north- 

 ern Nebraska, though a few linger on most of the streams of the 

 State. The value and beauty of its fur causes a constant war to 

 be waged against it by Indian and white man. 



Of the Gophers, the Pouched Gopher (Geomys bursarius), is the 

 most common, being found all over the State. The Short-headed 

 Gopher (G. breviceps), is only rarely found in south Nebraska. 



The Northern Pocket Gopher, (Themomys talpoides), whose 

 habitat is placed far north by Coues and Allen, I found on the 

 north side of the Niobrara in north Nebraska. 



The Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordi.) occurs in western and 

 northern Nebraska on the Loup and Niobrara. 



A rodent for which I know no popular name, but related to the 

 above is rather common over western and central Nebraska. It is 

 known among naturalists as Perognaihus fasciatus. It is, without 

 the tail, four inches long and mouse like. 



The Yellow Pocket Mouse (Cricetodipus flavus), smaller than the 

 house mouse is also common over central and western Nebraska. 



The Wood Rat {Neotoma Floridana), is a native of Nebraska, 

 but is only met with at long intervals. 



The Bushy Tailed Wood Rat (AT", cinerci), only occurs on the 

 Niobrara. At least that is the only section from which I have 

 obtained or heard of it. 



The White Footed Mouse {Hesperomys leucopus), is frequently 

 found in almost every county in the State. 



Another rodent {H. sonariensis), closely related to the above, is 

 still more abundant. It has a shorter tail and lighter color than 

 the preceding. 



The Michigan Mouse (//*. Michigcmensis), found sparingly all 

 over Nebraska. The Missouri Mole Mouse (H. leucogaster), is 

 quoted as abundant in Nebraska by Coues and Allen, but I have 

 found only one specimen here. 



The Little Harvest Mouse (Ochetodon humilis), is common south 

 of the Platte, but rare north of that river. 



The Common American Meadow Mouse (Avicola riparius), is 

 sparingly represented on the prairies of the State. The Prairie 



