20 



The jumping mice are about the size of the common house mouse 

 but have tails almost twice as long. They-are reddish-brown or yel- 

 lowish-brown above and pure white beneath. The hind feet are 

 very large, the head small and the form and coloring throughout 

 graceful and delicate. The woodland jumping mouse may be dis- 

 tinguished from the meadow jumping mouse by its slightly larger 

 size, larger ears and by having a white tip to the tail. When dis- 

 turbed the mice of both species make prodigious leaps but in spite 

 of this are rather easily caught as they do not seek holes in which 

 to hide as do most mice when alarmed. Their manner of jumping 

 is responsible for the name "kangaroo mouse" by which they are 

 frequently known. In the fall as cold weather approaches these 

 mice find some snug nest in which they curl up and sleep over win- 

 ter. So far as is kno^^^l at present they are entirely harmless. 



Canada Porcupine or "Hedgehog," Erethizon dorsatum Linn. 



There is little doubt that the porcupine was formerly found in 

 considerable numbers in our higher mountain regions but it has 

 now become very rare or entirely extinct. I have several uncon- 

 firmed reports of procupines beig seen or killed here in recent 

 years. Dr. J. W. Hartingan, of Morgantown, has informed me 

 that several years ago Mr. Thule Dolton killed a porcupine in a 

 stone ledge near his home in Monongalia county. Dr. Hartigan 

 purchased the specimen for fifty cents and had the skin mounted. 

 Afterward some boys stole the specimen and carried it away. 

 Authentic records of the occurrence of this species are very much 

 desired. 



Virginia Varying Hare; White Rabbit, Lepsus americanus vir- 

 ginianus Har. 



This interesting species is our only representative of a large 

 group of varying hares that inhabit practically all the northern 

 and western parts of the North American continent. In summer the 

 coat of this rabbit is rusty brown and in the winter white. In its 

 distribution in West Virginia it is confined to the laurel beds and 

 dense spruce woods of the higher mountain districts. Occasionally, 

 during long-continued cold weather, these rabbits Avill appear 

 about settlements, in the vicinity of high mountains, where their 

 presence creates no little interest. 



