46 
of the same species and age than any other superficial measurement that 
can be made, and, what is of practical importance, the measurement is 
fairly uniform as recorded by different collectors. This is an important 
consideration in small mammals in which a difference of 2 or 3 milli- 
metres in length of foot is an important specific character, being really 
10 per cent when the normal is 20 or 30 millimetres. With the larger 
mammals, the same collector may get fairly uniform results in measuring 
lengths of body and tail, but other collectors may have a different technique 
and get widely varying results when measuring large mammals on uneven 
ground, or when the specimens are distorted and shrunk by rigor mortis. 
For this reason the foot measurement should not be neglected. 
Another method of measuring is to prick off each measurement with 
dividers on board or paper table cover, measure them with steel tape or 
rule, and enter the figures on label. Whatever method is adopted, it is 
well to acquire a regular habit in this necessary routine, so that measure- 
ments may be uniform and no omissions made. The three essential 
measurements (length, tail, and hind foot) should always be recorded in 
the same order, as for example: “L. 221; T. 129; H.F. 31,” usually 
shortened on the label to “221-129-31,” the use of millimetres being 
assumed. 
The height of the ear above the crown of the head often affords a 
valuable measurement, particularly in bats or long-eared mammals, and 
is written on the label, “height of ear above crown.” It is taken from 
the crown of the head at the base of the ear, to the tip of the ear, exclusive 
of any tufts of hair. Some collectors take measurement “ear from notch,” 
that is from the notch at the lower opening of the ear conch to the tip 
of the ear not including hairs. Bats should also have “height of tragus” 
(the flattened eminence of the auricular front of the opening of the external 
ear). It is a good thing to make a pencil sketch of the outline of a 
bat’s ear, on the back of the label, as the ear is apt to shrivel up in 
drying if not carefully watched. 
If the mammal is to be mounted, particularly if it is of large size, 
a number of other measurements should be recorded for the benefit of the 
taxidermist; details of these measurements are given under heading of 
“large mammals” (page 65). When small mammals are taken, to be 
mounted later, it is well to preserve the skinned body in alcohol, formalin, 
or brine, or failing these, to make tracings of the body and limbs. 
The weight of animals, alive or “in the flesh,” is of considerable 
interest and in many cases controversial because of the neglect of the 
subject by most collectors. If possible, weigh small mammals in grammes 
with balance scales. Medium-sized mammals may be weighed to ounces 
with a tested spring-balance or milk scale. In spite of generations of big 
game hunters, the amount of authentic data in regard to the actual weight 
of many of our larger mammals is surprising, for as Seton (1929) points 
out, it is difficult to get the scales and the animals together, and hunters’ 
guesses are of the same order as fishermen’s. Any collector who has the 
opportunity is urged to add to our information on verified weights of 
large mammals. It is desirable to weigh the body as a whole, but where 
this is not practicable to weigh the animals cut up piecemeal. In weighing 
animals after cutting up, try to weigh the entrails as well as the flesh, and 
make an estimate of weight of blood lost. 
