FIELD MOUSE. 3^9 
Owl {Strix Americana^ the Weasel, Ermine, and Mink, all make this 
species a considerable part of their subsistence. 
The only note we have ever heard from this mouse is a low squeak, 
only uttered when it is either struck suddenly or greatly alarmed. In a 
state of confinement it was remarkably silent, except when two were en- 
gaged in fighting. 
GEOGEAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
Le Conte’s Field Mouse has an extensive geographical range. We 
have received specimens from our friend. Dr. Brewee, obtained in Massa- 
chusetts. It is found in Connecticut, is quite abundant on the farms in 
Rhode-Island, and in the immediate vicinitj^ of New^York. We found it 
at Milestown, a few miles from Philadelphia. Mr. Ruffin sent us several 
specimens from Virginia. We procured it in North Carolina, and re- 
ceived a specimen from Dr. Baeritt, Abbeville, South Carolina. It 
becomes more abundant as you approach the seaboard, in Carolina and 
Georgia ; and we have specimens sent to us from Alabama, Mississijipi and 
Florida. We have traced it no farther south, have not heard of it to the 
west of the Mississippi, and are informed that it does not exist in Texas. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
From the diminutive figure in Wilson’s Ornithology, we might be led 
to the conjecture that he had this little species in view. The accurate 
description given by Ord, applies, however, only to the Armcola Penn- 
sylvanica. The first scientific description that appears of this species was 
given by’Lfi Conte, (Annals of the Lyceum of Nat. Hist. N. Y., Vol. III., 
p. 3.) Finding that there were some variations in the dentition from the 
long established genus Arvicola. he formed for it a new genus, under the 
name of Psamotnys. As this name, however, had been pre-occupied by 
Rdppel for an Arabian species, the American translator, (Dr. McMurte[e,) 
of Cuvier’s Animal Kingdom, proposed changing the genus to Pitymis, Pino 
Mouse. The variations in the teeth, however, we have found by compari- 
son, do not afford sufficient characters to warrant us in removing it from Ar- 
vicola, to which, from its shape and habits, it seems legitimately to belong. 
We do not feel warranted in changing the specific name of Le Conte, 
but that name is not expressive of one of its characteristics, as, although' it 
may have been found in the pine woods, we have never, in a single in- 
stance, detected it in such localities. We have always found it either in 
the open fields, or along fences, in the vicinity of gardens and farms. 
This species is subject to many changes in colour, and is so variable in 
size, that it is easy to mistake it ; hence we have added as synonymes, our 
A. Scalopsoidex, and the A. Oneida of Dr. De Kay. 
