Feb., 1910.] 
Ohio Species of Mice. 
7 1 
on the west nearly to central Ohio on the east. The first speci- 
mens recorded for the state were taken at London, Madison 
county where a male and female and three young were procured 
in 1906. These specimens were all together under a log but 
there was no indication of a nest near at hand. The prairie 
white-footed mouse is distinctly smaller than the common white- 
footed species, color darker, ears and feet smaller and the tail 
much shorter. When one has an acquaintance with both they 
appear very distinct, but the difference is not conspicuous 
enough to prevent confusion at all times. Osgood includes all 
of western Ohio within the range of this mouse. 
In most of the recent publications including this variety it is 
treated as Peromyscus michiganensis (Audubon and Bachman), 
but Osgood shows that this is not correct. 
Oryzomys palustris (Harlan). Rice-field Mouse. This animal 
is called a rat by some authors but as the only difference that 
exists between a rat and a mouse is a matter of size, it is just 
as acceptable to call it a mouse as many do. In size close to 
that of a half grown common rat and appearing much like that 
animal, although the tail is longer, the coloration browner and 
there is a white fringe of hairs on the lower part of the ear. 
The Ohio records of this species are rather meager but there 
is conclusive evidence that it once inhabited the state, even 
though it may not at the present time. Brayton has the follow- 
ing to say: “ It has been identified by Mr. Frank Langdon with 
some hesitation, on the strength of the posterior half of a small 
rat taken from the stomach of a hawk at Madison ville, Ohio.” 
Brayton afterward examined the specimen and found the feet 
and tail answered the description of the rice-field mouse in 
detail. 
Professor W. C. Mills while engaged in directing excavations 
at Baum Village Site near Chillicothe, Ohio, procured dozens of 
the skulls of this species at different depths. He states that 
other parts of the skeletons were observed and that it appeared 
as if the mice had died in their burrows. There is no way of 
deciding as to the age of these remains and so it cannot be stated 
what the relation to their surroundings might have been. I give 
these peculiar records because it is desired that any one in a 
position to give information on the rice-field mouse in Ohio may 
know the facts and if possible aid us in procuring more convincing 
proof. 
Mus musculus Linnaeus. House Mouse. The members of 
the genus Mus which includes the house mouse, brown rat and 
black rat are all introduced into America and are the very worst 
of household pests. They are likely to multiply rapidly in any 
place where food products are stored or where they can -find 
