1008.] 



MAMMALS. 



195 



We obtained no skins of this species, but procured a series of skulls 

 from various points throughout the region. 



At the time of Hearne's exploration the beaver occurred abun- 

 dantly throughout the wooded part of the country. He found it 

 plentiful to the northward of Great Slave Lake east of the Northern 

 Arm early in December. 1771," and also found some occupying the 

 islands in the eastern part of the lake.'^ Richardson intimates that 

 the beaver ranged nearly to the mouth of the Mackenzie, and states 

 that the animals were numerous in the country lying immediately to 

 the northward of Fort Franklin.^ MacFarlane noted the animal on 

 Lockhart River, a tributary of the Anderson, in the summer of 1857.^^ 

 Petitot found the beaver occupying the small lakes on the terraced 

 slopes of Grizzly Bear Mountain, near its western extremity, while 

 exploring the southern shores of Great Bear Lake in 1868.^ Allen 

 recorded specimens from Fort Simpson, Fort Good Hope, and Fort 

 Anderson.'^* In the sunnner of 1892. while exploring between Atha- 

 baska Lake and Churchill River, J. B. Tyrrell found a " considerable 

 colony near the source of (ieikie River, southeast of Athabaska 

 Lake.^' MacFarlane, from Indian information, states that this 

 animal has from 1 or 2 to 9 young at a birth.'' 



In the early autumn of 1895, while in the mountains in western 

 All)erta. J. Alden Loring saw a fcAv fresh ' cuttings ' and tracks of 

 beavers, but found the s]:)ecies very rare. During his s(^cond visit to 

 the region, in 1890, he obtained evidence showing that the animal 

 formerly abounded in suitable localities throughout the region, but 

 had been nearly exterminated. Tracks were seen on a small stream 

 between Jasper House and Smoky River, but no other recent traces 

 of the animals were observed. 



Thomomys talpoides (Richardson). SaskatcheAvan Pocket Gopher. 



In certain places along the wagon road leading northward from 

 Edmonton, during our spring and fall journeys, we saw many hills 

 thrown up by this species. The most northerly traces seen were near 

 Vermilion Creek, 40 miles north of Edmonton. 



In September and the early part of October, 1891, J. Alden Loring 

 found this species common along the railroad from Calgary north 

 to Edmonton. At the latter place he took seven specimens^ September 



« .Jonrney to Northern Ocean, p. 223, 179.5. 

 ^IbicL, p. 248, 179.5. 



Fanna Boreali-Americana, I, p. 108, 1829. 

 ^Canadian Record of Science, IV, p. .32, 1890. 

 ^Exi»]. dn Grand Lac des Onrs, ]). 182, 1893. 



Monographs N. A. Rodentia, p. 448, 1877. 

 0 Am\. Rept. Can. Oeol. Surv., VIII (new ser.). p. 13D, 189G. 



Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XXVIII, p. 743, 1905. 



