1892.] Snake Plains of Idaho. 221 



The most common diurnal mammals arc the Groat Basin or 

 sage chipmunk (Tamias minimus pictus) and a small spermo- 

 phile (Spermophilus townsendii). Other equally characteristic 

 species are the nocturnal kangaroo rat (l)ipodups ordii), 

 pocket mouse (Per ognathus olivaccu*), grasshopper mouse 

 (Onychomys leucogaster brevicaudu*). Four species of rabbits, 

 namely, the white-tailed and the black-tailed jack rahhits 

 (Lepus campestris and L. texianus), the Idaho pigmy rabbit 

 (L. idahoensis) here described for the first time, and the great 

 basin cotton-tail (L. siladicns milUrflii.) are common. Antelope 

 roam over the plain in small herds, ami badgers and coyotes 

 are abundant. In the lava canon of Snake. River, near Shos- 

 hone Falls, the plateau lynx (Lynx baileyi), raccoon (Procyon 

 lotor?), little striped skunk (Spilogale saxatilisf), dusky wood 

 rat (Neotoma cinerea occidentalis), and cliff mouse (Hesperomys 

 crinitus sp. nov.) are common, and tracks of porcupine (Erdhizon 

 epixanthus) were seen. Black-tailed deer (Cariacus macrotis) 

 inhabit the canons in winter. 



Rattlesnakes (Crotalus lucifer), horned toads (Phrynosoma 

 dovglasii), and small lizards (Sceloporus graciosus) are common 

 on the Snake Plains, and extend north through the principal 

 sage-covered valleys. Two Bull snakes, provisionally referred 

 to Pityophis catenifer by Dr. Stejneger, were collected at Big 

 Butte and Arco, and a single Baseanion vetustum at Big Butte. 



Salmon and sturgeon ascend Snake River to the Great 

 Shoshone Falls. When we crossed the river at Lewis Ferry, 

 October 15, we saw several large sturgeon (Acipenser tram- 

 montanus) tied by the tails to stakes driven in the bank. One 

 weighed fully 70 kilograms (150 pounds), and we were told by 

 Mr. Lewis that he sometimes catches individuals weighing 

 as much as 300 kilograms (600 pounds). He told us also 

 that a fall run of salmon reached his place about October 1, 

 and that the fish that do not die go back in November. We 

 met a number of Shoshone or Bannock Indians on their way 

 to the river to spear salmon. Some of them came all the way 

 from the Lemhi Reservation. 



A kind of mole cricket locally known as the Idaho Devil 

 (SienopeJmatm famntnd) is common on the Snake Plains m 



