298 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Caught in traps; bait, cheese. It is locally accused of killing 

 young chickens, but I could obtain no reliable evidence on the 

 point. 



Evotomys gapperi (Eed Vole). — Uncommon. I only caught 

 them on cultivated land. 



Microtus (Pedomys) minor (Grey Vole). — Not at all un- 

 common. Appears to live only in very wet places. I fancy, 

 from remains of shells found in tussocks of rush where they were 

 caught, that their food consists partly of water-snails, although 

 I could not catch one, using snail as bait. Trapped with cheese 

 and almonds. 



Microtus drummondi (Brown Vole). — Very plentiful. Appears 

 to be equally distributed over open prairie, bush, and cultivated 

 land. One caught by hand, January 28th, 1902, in open, when 

 thermometer registered 30° below zero. 



An old half-breed trapper — who has for many years made 

 the greater part of his living by trapping fur for the Hudson's 

 Bay Company, who do a large business with the Indians, trading 

 goods for fur — gave me many useful hints, on which one or two 

 notes may be of use to other collectors. 



When trapping, if unsuccessful, try change of both bait and 

 style of trap, as one or the other will frequently result in a catch 

 where traps have remained for days untouched. Best bait for 

 Mice, Voles, &c, cheese and ordinary eating-almonds. Smoke 

 and water will be found useful in getting burrowing animals 

 where traps are not at hand. For small holes, pour water in 

 gently, and the occupant will gradually come to the top to escape 

 it ; if poured in too fast, they are drowned inside. For large 

 holes, make a good fire in the mouth of one hole ; when well 

 alight put on a good handful of grass ; immediately close both 

 that hole and all others, except the one from which you wish 

 occupant to bolt. If, as sometimes occurs, the animal remains 

 to be suffocated, it is lost, unless it can be reached with a pliable 

 willow. Select a willow having several branches at the thin end 

 growing close together, cut these off so as to leave a bunch of 

 ends about three-fourths of an inch long. This can then be 

 inserted into the hole till the animal is felt, when by gently 

 twisting the stick the fur will usually get hung up in the short 

 ends, and the animal can then be drawn out. It is impossible 



