tailed <^roiips. The following species are members of the round- 

 tailed group: N. hailcyi, N. m. canescens, N. warreni, N. fallax 

 and N. dcsertorum ; while A", c. orlestes, N. c. rupicola ajid N. ari- 

 zonae belong to the bushy-tailed group. The round-tailed species 

 are seldom found above 8,000 feet altitude, and are found in 

 suitable localities throughout the State, from that altitude down. 

 I have taken fallax at 5,200 feet elevation. Warren reports caii- 

 csce)is from Baca Count}^, warreni from Las Animas County, 

 hailei/i from Yuma and Bent Counties. Cary reports desertorum 

 in Rio Blanco County, 5,300 feet elevation. Two members of the 

 bushy-tailed group are also found in low altitudes, arizonae in 

 Montezuma and ^Montrose Counties, and rupicola in the northeast- 

 ern part of the State, but the third member, orolestes, ranges up 

 to timberline. Wood-rats inhabit rocky cliffs, deserted mines, 

 old prospect holes, cabins, salt-brush, cactus, hollow junipers, etc. 

 Marvelous tales are told by prospectors and ranchmen concerning 

 the cunningness and sagacity of these interesting little rodents. 

 Wood-rats will carry away and hide most anything portable. Out- 

 side of their thievish habits and destruction of stored food, wood- 

 rats are of little economic importance to the farmer. 



• 



SUBFAMILY MIC ROT IN AE (Voles) 



Small-sized voles closely related to Microtus, tail short and 

 rounded. 



Colorado Species of Phenacomys. 



Idaho Mountain Vole, Phenacomys orophilus. 



Preble's Mountain Vole, Phenacomys prehlei. 



We know nothing concerning the distribution or food habits 

 of these voles. Warren reports orophilus from Lake Moraine, El 

 Paso County, and Buffalo Pass. Cary reports it from Fairplay, 

 Park County. Prehlei is known from the type locality. Twin or 

 Lillie's Peak, near Long's Peak, and by AVarren from North 

 Boulder Creek, taken by R. T. Young. 



Genus Evotomys 



Small, short-tail voles, with reddish brown backs. 



Colorado Red-backed Mouse, Evotomys gapperi ejalel. 



Occurring in the higher mountains of the State, from 8,000 

 feet elevation and up. 



The food of the red-backed mouse consists of grass and seeds 

 of various kinds. Not being abundant anywhere, and being con- 

 fined to mountain regions, it is of no economic importance. 



10 



