176 



NORTPI AMERICAN FAUNA. 



Ixo. 27. 



the seasons of 1895 and 1896 he found white-footed mice rather 

 common in the mountains of western Alberta, and secured a series of 

 about 50, inckiding specimens from the following localities: Jasper 

 House ; 15 miles west of Henry House ; 15 miles south of Henry House ; 

 Stony River (north of Jasper House) ; Grand Cache River (70 miles 

 north of Jasper House) ; and Muskeg Creek. A male from the moun- 

 tains 15 miles south of Hemy House measures: 199, 101, 21. Six 

 specimens from Grand Cache River average : 172, 84, 20. These speci- 

 mens approach P. oreas in several characters, but on the whole are 

 best referred to arcticiis. The skulls are longer, flatter, and relatively 

 narrower than those of typical circticus^ with the lachrymal region 

 more swollen, the zygomata less strongly bowed outward, and the 

 rostrum longer. 



Neotoma drummondi (Richardson). Drummond Wood-Rat. 



This species was described by Richardson from a specimen taken 

 b}^ Drummond in the Jasper House region.'^ Richardson later 

 figured this specimen, at the same time describing it more fully and 

 mentioning several others, all said to have been procured in the same 

 region. He mentions also another skin, " of a larger, and perhaps a 

 specifically distinct kind, procured on the Rocky Mountains in 

 latitude 63°.''^ Coues recorded specimens, presumably referable to 

 the same species, from Fort Liard and Fort Halkett.^ A specimen 

 from the former place is still in the United States National Museum. 

 I was informed that at Fort Liard, where the animal is said to be not 

 very common, the Indians call it the ' big mouse.' 



In the early autumn of 1895 J. Alden Loring found the species 

 common in the mountains near Jasper House, and collected a series of 

 over twenty at that place. Their nests, built of sticks, leaves, bones, 

 small stones, and other rubbish, the usual materials, were found in the 

 crevices of ledges, some of which seemed to have been occupied for 

 many years. The animals were called by the Indians * medicine rats,' 

 in allusion to the musk glands. 



The series collected is quite uniform in color, the fur of the back, 

 sides, and head being h!ght plumbeous at base, with a subterminal 

 band of yellowish-brown, and Avith black tips. The black-tipped 

 hairs are most conspicuous on the posterior half of the back, where 

 the black and yellowish-brown contribute about equally to form the 

 general color. On the shoulders and thighs the yellowish-brown 

 forms the conspicuous element of the color, especially in the cas^ of 

 the freshly pelaged individuals. The lower parts and feet are white, 

 slightly tinged with yellowish, the tails are plumbeous above and 



«Zool. Journ., Ill, p. 516, 1828. 



* Fauna Boreali-Americana, I, pp. 137-140, i)l. 8, 1829. 

 ^Monographs X. A. Rodentia, p. 24, 1877. 



