57 
Measurements of groenlandicus 
No. 
Date 
Locality 
Sex 
Length 
Tail 
Foot 
5718 
Nov. 
22, 
3. 
1924. . 
Pangnirtung fiord 
9 
Mm. 
120 
Mm. 
17 
Mm. 
15 
6107 
June 
1925. . 
Nettilling lake 
& 
105 
10 
15 
6019 
June 
6, 
1925. . 
it 
9 
108 
8 
17 
6020 
June 
7, 
1925. . 
<4 
& 
132 
10 
15 
6021 
June 
11. 
1925. . 
it 
9 
120 
10 
17 
6022 
June 
23, 
1925. . 
ti 
? juv. 
97 
9 
17 
6024 
July 
4, 
1925. . 
tt 
9 
137 
10 
18 
6171 
April 
23, 
1926. . 
Amadjuak lake 
d 1 
120 
12 
18 
6176 
June 
4, 
1926. . 
Cape Dorset 
125 
12 
17 
6207 
U 
17, 
1926. . 
it 
9 
120 
15 
18 
6223 
Aug. 
4, 
1926.. 
Amadjuak bay 
<? 
125 
14 
19 
6224 
a 
7, 
1926. . 
ii 
9 
127 
13 
18 
Five distinct colour phases of the pelage are observable in the small 
collection of groenlandicus from Baffin island. 
(a) The winter coat of white, found on specimens taken from Novem- 
ber until April. The pelage is not pure white, but exhibits a marked 
greyish cast, owing to the dusky basal half of the hair. Allen and Cope- 
land list a specimen which was taken at Bowdoin harbour on May 1, as 
still in full winter pelage. 
( b ) On a specimen taken on April 23, Amadjuak lake, the entire dorsal 
area is a pale, buffy-grey, the buff colour being very slightly more pro- 
nounced on the nape and rump, and more marked in a patch over each ear. 
A distinct, narrow, median line of darker hair extends from nape to rump. 
The remainder of the coat is in winter pelage, and the heavy claws of that 
season are still intact. Comparable with this transition phase are indi- 
viduals described by Allen and Copeland from Bowdoin harbour. A half- 
grown young, March 18, has the enlarged winter claws, and its white coat 
already has a considerable admixture of dark hairs, particularly on the 
nape. An older and nearly full-grown specimen taken April 22 is similar, 
with the entire dorsal area a buffy grey, due to the incoming long hairs of 
the summer coat. 
(c) This third phase is represented by two adults taken at cape Dorset 
and Amadjuak bay during the first week of June. These have entire 
dorsal region pale greyish with an obscure buffy wash and indistinct ver- 
miculations of darker hairs. An obscure median line runs from crown to 
middle of back. Patches of ears rusty. Sides and underparts pale 
ochreous-buff, brightest on breast and sides of throat. A specimen procured 
from an Eskimo at McGee lake, probably taken in late May, has a vivid 
isolated area of brown, summer hair from nose to middle of the back, 
whereas the remainder of dorsal region is still in long, winter pelage. Sides 
and underparts are pale buffy, with bright ochreous on breast and sides of 
throat. Referable to this phase are specimens from Bowdoin harbour, 
described by Allen and Copeland in the following terms: 
“Older specimens (Bowdoin harbour, May 5; cape Dorset, May 22) retain areas of 
long, white fur on the back and lower flanks, but elsewhere are much darkened by the new 
pelage. A second specimen from cape Dorset, May 22, probably a younger animal than 
the other, is in nearly complete summer pelage; an adult male from Bowdoin harbour, 
June 28, retains nothing of its winter coat but a small tuft of white on the lower rump. 
The enlarged claws of winter are still unshed at this date, though their upper portions. 
