1908.] 



MAMMALS. 



159 



During the autumn of 1895 J. Alden Loring saw a band of 6 on a 

 cliff in the mountains about 25 miles west of Henry House, and was 

 told that the animals were found throughout the mountains in that 

 region. On visiting the same region in 1896 he found that those 

 observed the previous year west of Henry House had been killed by 

 Indians just before his arrival. Several specimens were taken at his 

 camp 15 miles south of Henry House early in July. A few seen a 

 few days later, not being wanted for specimens, were allowed to 

 escaj^e. He describes their gait as ungainly and slower than he 

 expected. When the animals started up the mountain from the salt 

 lick where they had been disturbed he amused himself by chasing 

 them, and succeeded in getting within 20 feet of one, partially cut- 

 ting off his retreat. The goat lowered his head as though preparing 

 to charge, but started off to one side and finally succeeded in getting 

 past, and then walked leisurely up the mountain, occasionally turning 

 his head to get a good look at his enemy. In this region they were 

 less common than the mountain sheep, but somewhat resembled them 

 in habits, frequently visiting the same licks. Along the route be- 

 tAveen Jasper House and Smoky Kiver the species was rare, most of 

 the country not being adapted to their wants. At a camp near the 

 head of Grand Cache Eiver he found wool of this species, showing 

 that it occurred there. 



According to information obtained at Fort Liard this species is 

 still found in the Xahanni Mountains back from Liard, and used 

 to occur near the river. It is said to occur also in the mountains 

 opposite Fort Xorman. ljut is rare. 



Marmota monax canadensis'' (Erxleben). Canadian AYooclchuck. 



The woodchuck. usually called * wenusk ' in the north, occurs in 

 suitable places, usually where there are rocks or sandy soil, through- 

 out the region north to Great Slave Lake and the mouth of the 

 Liard. Owing to lack of material from Quebec, the name canadensis 

 is irsed only provisionally for the woodchuck of the Mackenzie Valley. 



In June, 190L I found the burrow of one in poplar woods 10 miles 

 below the mouth of the Peace, and another at Fort Smith. In 1903, 

 at Smith Landing. Cary saw several skins, said to have been taken 

 in the hilly country to the eastward. I Avas informed that the species 

 occurs commonly on the sandy ridp-e j in the vicinity of Fort Resolu- 



^ In 1902 (N. A. Fauna. No. 22, p. 47) I used the name Arctomys m. empetra 

 (Mas empetra, Pallas, Xovre Species Quad, e Glirium Ordine, p. 75. 1778), 

 which was based mainly on the Quebec Marmot of Pennant, for the Canadian 

 woodchuck. Unfortunately, however, I then overlooked the fact that Erxleben 

 (Systema Regrni Animalis. p. 303. 1777) had already described the same animal 

 under the name GUs canadensis, giving the same citations as Pallas. The name 

 canadensis being thus equally pertinent with empetra, and having a priority 

 of one year, will stand for the Canadian woodchuck. 



