THE COMMaX MOLE OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



5 



of these birds disclosed the remains of but 13 moles. ^ Five of these 

 had been eaten by the red- tailed hawk, four by the red-shouldered 

 hawk, and one each by the broad-winged hawk, the barred owl, the 

 great gray owl, and the screech owl. Of 3,005 skulls of small mam- 

 mals found in pellets disgorged by the barn owl, only two were of the 

 mole. 



Occasional or periodical floods which spread over lowlands ad- 

 joining streams constitute one of the greatest checks on the inordi- 

 nate increase of moles. During these inundations numbers of moles 

 may be found clinging to drift masses lodged against various obstruc- 

 tions. Even though these individuals survive, their young have 

 probably perished in the nests, for it is in the breeding season that 

 the freshets commonly occur. 



BREEDING HABITS. 



Judging from the facts presented under the preceding heading, 

 it would appear that the mole may be a comparatively slow breeder 

 and still maintain its normal numbers from year to year. Such 

 we find to be the case. From observations taken in the Middle West 

 it was learned that the little animal breeds but once a year and that 

 the number of young at a birth averages about four. These are 

 produced in March or early April. Development after birth is 

 comparatively rapid, for young found in the nest still hairless had 

 abeady attained one-third the weight of the adults. Furthermore, 

 young moles trapped in the fall are ahnost fully grown. 



TRESPASSERS. 



It is interesting to note that the mole is not permitted to enjoy 

 undisputed occupancy of the underground galleries which his industry 

 has constructed. Certain other small mammals, particularly shrews, 

 voles or meadow mice, and sometimes ordinary house mice, find these 

 tunnels convenient b3rways for marauding. As a result of this tres- 

 passing the reputation of the mole suffers, for most of the injury to 

 seed grains, tiibers, and roots of cultivated plants is directly charge- 

 able to these intruding rodents. A study of tooth marks on the 

 damaged products will bear out this statement. 



NATURAL FOOD. 



The food habits of moles have been the subject of much discussion, 

 but considering the multiphed evidence of digestive tract, dentition, 

 stomach contents, and choice of food when in captivity, it must be 



1 See "Hawks and Owls of the United States in their Relation to Agriculture," by Dr. A. K. Fisher. 

 U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, Bull. 3, 1893. 



34909°— Bull. 583—14 2 



