ory oa Ee: a Teer ete ae. ee. eae E MAGAMALS OF INGHAM eo 0 8) e +, £ é ~ a> no resis for the Degree of &. &, oti i Vo te ke Fuk arid a “ dat 59 ame § tak ee ae a aes >a rn >: ce) wr Co Senior Azricultural Thesis : On WTHE MALSALS OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN," by it #4 ( f 4 4 , Po. T. L. Hankinson, ‘lass of 'S8. hichigan Agricultusal College, Agricultural College, Mich. LAB 2 >. 5 THE itAMLALS OF INGHAI COUNTY, MICHIGAN. It is my purpose in this paper to give a list, as complete as nossible, of the mammals of Ingham County. Under C3 the name of each species I give notes regarding its distribu- tion in the County, anc, in most cases, in the State. Besides these notes, £ have aliec, in a few instances, information that I think iav be of interest regavding the nadits, eeoromic thet I have observec. 4 value, or any peculicrity of the svesie I regret that I have be:.n able to present so few notes from personal investigation of the mammal life in this region. But as I began to collect facts on mammals ist fall, my work could be carried on orly during the cold season, ancé tins I have been working under a disadvantare. By means of traps I have optainced a muiber of specimens of those mammals that may be found curing the winter, but the hibornating species I could not study. It is nerhans for this reason that I havo not been able to record the Jusping Mouse and a few other sveecics that should be found here, I have placed en asterisk at the left of the scientific name of each species that I have scen or taken in this County, and I make myself personal- ly responsible for the fact thet thev occur here. A large portion of the infornetion that I have obtained upon the inaiarals of the Scunty wes given to mo by other ae servers, and for this I am greatly indebted to J. . Nichols, 96504 Ke Chas. Devis ctd W. oS. Wriseht, all of Lansing. These rentlie- men have done much hunting in this locality, and they are cood observers. Their notes have been of great value to ne in prevaring this iist. I have also becr rreetly favored by Ine. horris Gibbs, of Kalamazoo, who sent me some excellcnt notes from that Keen opsexver of nature, Dr. H. A. Atkins, who formerly vresid:d at Locke, in this County. Prof. VW. 3B. Barrows nus fiven me muen information upon the mammals of this County, pnesices allowing me access to the specimens in the Museym and the catalogue of the Zoolorical Department. Dr. Beal, the botanist here at i. A. C., who has long resided in this locality and has been a careful observer of nature, has given re some very valuable notes, espectallv on our larger marzrals. I nave also been aided by notes from L. J. Cole, B. 0. Longyear and Prof. C. F. Wheeler. Besiges the notes received from observers in this Countr’, I have been freatly assisted by notcs that I have received from those who have observed marzzals in other parts of the . ‘tate. For these notes I cesire to thank Dr. J. B. Steere 9) nd N. A. Wood or Arn Arbor, Perey Sclous of Sreenville, R. H. Woleott formerly or Grand Repids, A. B. Uurree and W. E. Bulliken of Crand Ravids, L. W. Yatkins of Manchester and E. L. Mosely of Sendusky, Ohio. Dr. Morris Cibbs has mrcatly assisted me by sending a large mumber of notes. He sent me rot only his own but those of other observers in mam parts of the State, as well. Besides Atkin's Notes for Ing- ham County, he lent me notes fv-om the following observers in other parts of Michigan: E. E. Brewster of Iron Kiountain, I. S. Cooper of Cheboygan, A. B. Covert of Ann Arbor, James a e c . Hewring of Rockland, Mi. J. Magee of Sault Ste Marie and ha. Van Vinklie of Van Harbor. He also sent me a list of the Maryvials of liichifran, written by G. 38. Sudworth in 1883, Asice from the notes reccived from the above mentione2 observers, I have made use of the followinre publications: "A List of the Indigenous Harraals of Michiran," by Jd. B. Steere, nublished in te "Game Varden" for January 1893; "A List of the Mazwmsals of hichigan," by Dz. Manly Miles, incluced in the Report on the Zoolory of Michigan for 1861; tThoe Rodent of Michigan," by D>. Morris Gibbs, published in Vol. I. of tre lhuseun. I also obtained help fron Butler's "Preliminary List of Indiana NMarzials," published in the Proceedings of te Indiana Acadceryy of Science for 1893 and Jordan's "Manual of the Vertebrates of liorthern United States." In rv arrangement I nave volloved sloseivy the one given by Jordan in nis “Mainze1 of the Vertebretes." I have also usec his nomenclaturc to a larsc extent. Ingram County, tho locality here considered, is situatcd in the southern part of the State, and lies, approximately, betreer the varallcls 42 23' and 42 45'. Tne region in the vieinity about Lansing, where most of te observations have cveen made, is mostly of low, rather level, well wooded country. The land is not well drained by streams, and there 1s mich swamp land. ORD'R GLIRES. Famliy Levoridae. =“ LEPUS SYLVATICUS Bachman. Gray Raopoit. Tris Rasbit ir our most normon ramo “ammal, and is uncoubtedly hunted more then any other quacmupedc in Southern Miehican. It is abcrndant in every locality that I am ac- quainted with, and they have been reported common in every county that I rave heart from in the southern part of the Lover Peninsula. Lh. W. Watkins and N. A. Wood each report them common in Washtenaw Country; Perey Selous says they are cormion about Greenville, Montealm County; L. J. Cole reports them as corzaon in kent, Ionia and Allegan Counties. They are certainly cortmon here in Ingham County, and I have also seen many in Hillsdale County. They have, however, decreased ranvidiy in this lattcr locality within the last tew years. They were very abundant up to 1891. In the fall of 1892 they became perecptably more searce, and in the fall or 18098 and during the winter of '983 and 94 they were very scarce. I saw but three or four during this time. although I went on several ral dit hunts, end I noticed rit few tracks on the snow jauarines the winter. Fev hunters were cver rell revarded for their efforts curing: the season, excert those who used a dog or ferret. I have hunted some about Hillsdale since then, anc have reason to believe that the rabbit has not increased much in numbers. Dr. Morris Gibbs notices this sudden decrease of rabbits in many parts of Southcrn Michigan, and he attributes it to the introduction of the ferret, with oa] weiech the rabbits have becn nunted so mien in the last ev years. LEPUS AMERICANUS Erxieben. White Rabbit, or Northern Hare. If this mamaal is found in Ingham County at all at the present time it is certainly very rare. Charles H. bavis, of Lansing, says that he saw one two or three years ago in Towar's Svamp, which is a low piece of grounde, covere4 by spruce and tamarack, about two miles north of the Agri- cultural College. It was in the winter, and the rabbit was in its white pelage. J. E. Nichols, of Lansing, says that he has taken this martzal in Ingham Countv. Dr. Beal tells me thet the irilie Redbii i ee} often taken by munters ina largre swanp in Jackson County, Mich. From the reliability of these observers, I have little hesitation in listing this species as one of the mammals of Ingham County. hr. A. B. Durfee tells me that this rabbit was formerly very corzion in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland end Livingston Counties. D>. J. B. Steere reports that he has killed then in Ionia County. Perey Selous says: "It is rare near Green- ville, Montcalm County, put common twelve miles north. I got three herc this fall and winter," ('97 and '98.) This species is not given in Butler's list of the Mammals of Indiana. Family Hystricidaee. FRETHIZON DORSATUS (L) Porcupine. The Porcupine, although onee found throughout our State, is certainly very rare cat the present tiie in the settled portions :f the Southern Peninsula. This martaal was onee found in Ingham county. J. E. Nichols knows of its being taken here, and Chas. H. Davis and W. S. Wrirnt each tell me that thev know of many being taken in thie county, ir years past. There is one in the College ltiseum at H. A. Oo. that vas collected by V. Kedzie in this locality. The Porcupine at present is very corzion in the Northern Peninsula, and is found in the northern part of the Southorn. Perey Selous savs that they are now common in Missaukee County. Dr. Morris Gibbs, in his "Rodents of Michigan," says treat it is now scarce south of the 48'd parallel, and is aoundant north of the 45th. The range of the Porcupine in the past extended south of Michiran. A. W. Butler records it from six counties in Indiana. Tho most southern of these 1s Randolph County, which lics partly north of the parallel of 40 . KE. L. Liosecly gives me a note of one that was killed in Wood County, Onio, which is just couth of Toledo. Farlly lhridaee. # PIBFR SIBETHIQUE (1) liisk—rat. This mammal is common in this County, and is prob- ably found all over the state, in every favorable place. Every observer from whom I have received notes gives it as common in his locality. I have often seen these animals in the swamp about a quarter of a mile north of the Apricultural Collefze. In the snoring of the year, while going along the road that passes this place, when the vater is high it is not infrequent to rear a louc. splash made by a Muskrat as it springs from some log cr other support into the water. In this svam> I found several of their houses while I was walking around on the ice last winter. Theso were large, rude, dome-shaped arfairc, composed of sticks and picces of swamp plants. I made a hole in the wall of the house, and found that it had a rather spacious room, with a floor of ice. The rats entered this room through three or four holes in the ice that were placed around the edre of the floor. A number of huskrats vere caught last fall in the pools of the wild garden here at lL. A. C. They did much damaze to the aquatic plants that were grown there. I ontained a specimen of this species from the wild rarcen this soring. It had been caught in the brook by a dog. Tue Vuskret often does treat injury to dems in streams anc »vivers by burrowing in then. It also does some damage to crops in fields that are close to its haunts. # ARVICOLA AUSTERUS. Le Conte. Short-tailed Meadow Mouse. One of the best specimens that I have taken since I came to li. A. C. was an Arvicola Austerus, in a piece of oak woods just north of the College prounds. I was walking alongr a lane in these woods one day in August, 1895, when I saw a small mammal running over the ground toward a large oa:: tree. I casgily overtook it and captured it. I made a skin of this syecimen, and presented it, with the skull, to the a ‘ Collcre Muscum, Prof. Barrows identified this mouse as the Arvicola Austverus. In appearance cond color this mammal resembles the cormor mouse, but it may be readily distinguished from A. riparius by its mich smaller size. As far as I can learn, there is no other record of this species being taken in Michigan. Dr. J. B. Steere says: "Not found at Ann Arvor, Lich., belongs further south and west." A. W. Butler fives records of its being found in only two counties in Indiana — Franklin and Vigo. # ARVICOLA RIPARIUS Ord. Meaccw siouse,. The hecadow Louse is one of the rost abundant, and certainly the most destructive, of all our marmals. It is found in great numbers ebout all our fields, where they do mich damage to grain and ¢rass crops. Since last November (1897) I have caugnt about a dozen of these mammals in cyclone mouse traps, set in places where they are founc. All these specimens rescmbled cach other Glosely in color of pelage, but they varied mich in size. Chcese was the bait that seemed best to bring them to the trap, although I caught four or five by using rav, fresh meat. I caught one in a trap paited with a piece of walnut meat. The traps in most cases were set in the runways, in the grasc, or in the snov. Specimens were taken in various places, upon high, dry ground as well as upon that which was low and wet. They seemed to be rouni wherever there was f/rass. I discovered & pesuliar habit of this mammal this winte>. lf’, Gunson, the florist here at M. 4. C., trent to his violet bed, which was in a large hot house, and found that all the flowers from his violet plants had been picked and placed in a neat little pile upon the earth at one side in the house. It looked like the vork of mioc, so he notified me. I set a cyclone trep near this pile of violets, and the next day I founda an arvicoln ot this species in it. The mouse un— doubtedly took these flowers for a nest, Put what caused him to pick just the flowers,and touch nothing else, is 2 mystery to ne. Tne Meadow Mouse is probably abundant in all favorable localitics throughout our State. A. W. Butler says that it is common in every locality from which he has reccived re- ports in Indiana. = GALOMYS AMERICANUS (Kerr). White—rooted Mouse, The Deer louse, as this syecies is comcronly called, is an abundant marimal all over iichigan. It is reported sas cormon iy every obscrver that has sent me notes. David Star> Jordan, in his hanual of Vertebrates, savs that it is abundant overyrhere in North America. I have eaught «. f00d many in traps sinee last fall, and nave used for beit vay fresh meat, cheese, rolicd oats ani yvolK of a boiled esr. Tney were taken in all Kinds of regions, on low as well as high land, in the open fields as well as in the thick woods. Last February I set one of those small box traps for catehing ice alive at the edge of a swamp, a short distance north of if. A. C. On visiting it the next morning it was LU, found to contain tro inice of this species. Trev were both dead; they probably died from cold. One of these mice had — eaten tne flesh from the side of the head of the other, and hac eaten out its brains. Whether or not it is 4 natural habit of these mice to destroy each other for food I do not know. They certainly are partially carnivorous, as they sccm to be more easily led to a trap when meat is used for bait than anything else. #* MUS DEGUMANUS Pallas. Brown Rat. This too abundant marmmal is well Known to every- bocy as a great pest and nuisance about buildings. It was introcuced into America about 1775, and rapidly inoreased in numbers wntil it was found everywhere in the Country. Berore this rat was introduced the Black Rat (Mus rattus) ras the common species, but the Brown Rat soon exterminated this species, and at present specimens of Mus rattug are very rare. +; MUS MUSCULUS. House Mouse, The House Mouse is another pest with which we are ai1 familiar. It is found about dwelling houses,rvhcre it docs much damage unless it is very carefully suardeda arainst. It is also found in barns and pfranarys. In such places their Cepredations cannot be go easily checked, and they thorefore do much harm. The cat and the mousc trap are the chief agents in keeping this little mammal from running out humanity entirely. ll. This mouse is not confined to buildings and their vicinity I have caught many about corn shocks ‘and hey stacks, far out in the riclds. I have also caught then in the woods. I found one in a trap last fall that I hac set on low, mucky fsround on the edge oi a dcditeh beside the road that runs through Chandler's Marsh, three miles north of li. A. @. This was . about a mile from any houses or cultivate’ fiele. Ferily castoriidae. CASTOR FIBER L. Beaver. I do not vecord the Beaver as a@ marial that is found at present in Ingham County, but as one that once occurred here and is now extinct. They were certainly found here many ycars aco, but there is little evidence in proof of this to be found here at present. J. E. Nichols of Lansing says that he has scen Beaver dams in this county. Dr. Beal tells se that there are dans in Lenawee County. Dr. Robert Yolcott says that"they mst certainly have occurred at Lansing. " Dr. Manly idiles, in his list published in 1861, says: "At no remote period the Beaver was found throughout the State, as is shown by the numerous renains of their dams in localities that are nov deserted by them. Perey Selous says that it was certainly fovni in liornteaim County years ero. I 7 ~~. ©@ ty sy . ©. Brevstor, in some notes sent to Dr. Gibbs in 1895, savs: "The Reaver is increasing rapidly in some local- ities. Not uncormon in Dickinson, Marquette, Gogebio and probably all counties in the Uoper Peninsula where trapping has been discontinued, and lumberines also." Prof. Barrows tells me that the Beaver ic at present found in localities in the northern vart of the Southern Peninsule. Family seauridae. s* ARCTOMYS MONAX (L.) Wooachuck. The Woodchuck is an abundant mammal throughout our State. It is reported as corrion from cvery locality fron whien I heave reccived notcs, in both the Southern and the WYortnern Peninsulas. Dr. Atkins, writing in 1883, says thet this species “was scarce at an early dav." it. E. E. Brewster, of Iron hountain, in some notes written in 1895 says of the Voos.enuek: "Seldom secn ten years ero, but is now corzmon," Le. G. B. Suaworthn, rho prepared a list of Michifan marmals in 1883, sives this species in his list as "Not cormon.# From thuse notes I should juage that tho Vooichuck was formerly less abundant in liichigan than it is at present. It is one of the fev wild animals that is increasing with the settlement of the country. s far .s I heve observed, the Woodchuck always stays in the vicinity of its hole, to which it hurridly retreats when any verson anoroaches. As its burrow is often found in Glover fields, tmeh damage is done by its tramping down the clover rithin a large area about its hole. For this reason, and because the woodehuck cevours mich corn and other rrains when groving near its burrow, it is a great enemy to the farmers, anc every means 1s sought to destroy it. Probably tre most successful method is by the use of bisulphide of carbon, which is placcd in its burrow, and, the fumes being breathed by the mammal, Kills it. #4: §PERMOPHILUS TRIDECEALINGATUS (litehe1l) Strined Gopher. It kas elvays been a wondor to ue why the Strived Gopner is so rare in tris region about M. A. °o., while it is so common in other plases in the State in regions of the same character. I have received notes from the following localitic and the Gopher is reported as cormon in all of then: mn Arbor (Stccre and Yood), Greenville, Montcalm county (Selous), Qs lianechester, Washtenaw County (Watkins), Grand Rapids an Lowell in Kent County (Cole). E.L. Mosely says thet he has found it in Calhoun County. I have seen many about Hillsdatlc, in Hillsdaie County. In speaking with Chas. Davis, W. S. Wright and J. E. Nichols, of Lansing, I find that neither one of them ever sav a Gopher, or hcard of one being seen, in this County. I have taken one specimen here, and, as far as I know, this is the only recore so far for this vicinity. Prof. Wneeler told ne that he sav a Gopher on the Collere farm. He cirected me to vhe place, where I set a steel trap at the entrance of 1ts burrow; and the next dav, May 20tr., 1l&Vs, my trep contained Qa genuine S. tridoocomnlineatus. It hes been my experience to always find tnuis mamtnzal living upon sandcy soil, put this one was caught in low, black muck ground — a rather unusual place for this species, it seems to me. Dr. H. A. AtKins, formerl< of Locke, in this County, says in his list, written in 1883, that he has seen but one svecinen. He probably refers to the region about his home in Ingham County. Mr. B. 0. Longyecr reports them from near Leslie, which is in the southern part of this County, about tventy miles south of the Agricultural Collefre. 14, = TALMIAS STRIATUS. (L.) Chipmunk, or Striped Ground Squirrel. Tne Chinvimnk is a corrion little woodland marmal in this County. While walking through the woods cbout the College on any nleasans itey, rron the borinning of the warn days of spring to late in Autivan, the loud enin of this little animal often sucicniy attracts our attention to some place near, and we hear a scampering over the dried leaves as a Chinrmunk hestens to its hole. On reaching its burror it will usually sit perfectly stiil beside it until you ap- proach too near, or make some suspicious nove, when it will instantly disadpcar. Tne Chiprmink seems to me to be an exclusively woodland specics. I have never seen it far from wooded localities. This species is probably found all over our State. I have not learned of a locality where it is rare, although I have not received notes from every part of the State, ~. Robert Wolcott, who has travelled much in both Peninsulcs, says that "it is very common everywhere in the State, as far as I nave vigitcd. The Chiprunk remedtns in its birror throwshout our winter, and feeds upon the fooc it has storeé up during the fall. It rarely comes out, even during mild weather. I have never seer one in winter, although I have been sbout the woods rueh during that season, in places where they are found very abundent in the warmer seasons. The habit of digging up corn after it has been planted hes often been attributed to this riarmaal. It is thus said to be injurious to the farmer. I have never heard this complaint made by any of our farmers in Michiran, anc Prof. Barrows sars that he never has. wf TTT" rr? . Nea qe : SCIURUS EUPSOMNICUS Iremieben. Red Squirrel, This squirrel is the most abundant of the Sciuridasc in this County. There are a freat many about the Collefe carpus here, where they are little molested, and therefore are quite tame. They are found in great numbers about the wooas near here, and they are undoubtedly common all over our State. Every observer in both Peninsulas from whom I have received notes reports them as common in his locality. The Rel Squivrel often does great fancre in corn fields that are near woods. There is a field just north of the Collcge which is bounded on two sides by large open woods. The shocks of corn were lert standing there all winter. Ynen the snow was on the ground squirrel paths could be seen coming from various jirections from the woods to the shocks. Iusxs, cobs ard kernels were scattered’ all over the ground about these snocks. There vere places where the couirrels hac entercd to the heart of the shock and had fed upon the corn in its interior. It was evident that much demese had deen cone in this field. I have often seen damage done in other corn ficlds, and this squirrel is certainly a freat pest to the farmer. There is a family of partial albino squirrcis wpon the campus here at M. A. C. White specimens of this species are not rarely found. lr. A. B. Durfee, of Grand Rapids, says that he has seen as many as five or six albinos. Of these he has taken four. There is an albino specimen in the Collefe lIftuseun. OSCIURUS CAROLINE’NSIS Gimelin. Gray Squirrel. The Gray Squirrel is @ ma:ztmaal trat I an little acquainted with. I have seen none in Ingham County, and very row in Hillsdale Gounty. Charles Pavis, of Lansing, tells me that they used to be abundant here, but are very rare at present. The Gray Sauirrel scems to be decreasing cenerally in hiichigan, as nearly every observer revorts it as once abundant but rare now. By some this scareity of the Gray Scuirrel is attributed to the Rec Squirrel, which is said to run out other species. It is my opinion that the hunter is about es large a factor towards tic destruction of this species as any, for these squirrels are certainly much sourht efter by every rumner, as they are fine game animals. This is the most beautiful of all our squirrels, to my eye, and it is a pity that it should become exterminated, while the less desirable spceies — the Red Squirrel — should survive. It is probably known to all those who are in the least acquainted with our mammals that the Black Squirrel is but a color phase of this same specics. Dr. Beal tells me that he onee found a brood of tour youns Gray Squirrels in which two were fray ana two were black. s- SCIURUS NIGER L. Fox Squirrel. With the exception of the Red Sauirrel, the Fox Squirrel is our most common arboreal species. They are more sry than the Red Squirrel, and ere mich less often seen, Froi the notes sent me I should judge that this spectles has not been found in our State before the last thirty or Lo, forty years. Dr. AtKins, writing in 1888, says that it has bcen found ners apovt twenty years. Dr. real tells me thet the Fox Scuirrel wes not in Lenaree County bercre fortv vears apo, and that there were no squirrels there but the Gray ana Dlack before that tine. The Fox Squirrel is a fine game animal, and it usually requires mich skill and experience to hunt him successfully, The best season ror hunting them is during: September and the first part of October. The flesh of the Fox Squirrel is excellent for cating curing this season. This squirrel scemns to pe somewhat aquatic in its habits, as I have orten heard of their being scen swimming bodies of wator, from woods to woods. In August, 1896, while I was ecealping at Spring Lake, near Crand Haven, Michigan, some bovs brought me a Fox Squirrel that they had caught in the water while it was svwimc-ing across the neck of the lake. = S§CIUROPTHRUS VOLANS (L). Flying Squirrel. Fro: this marual's being lergely nocturnal in its habits it is scldom seen by the ordinary observer, ani it is therefore usually considered as rare. However, those who have kept close note of this spesies find it to be common; and it 1s undoubtedly not a rare mammal in most localities in this vart of the State. There have been a good many scen about the Collere. Last fall a large maple was cut down near the hospital, on the campus, anc a Flying Squirrel ran fror a hollow in it to a little plum tree, where it sat ina crotch cart wary up among the branches till I came and caugnt it in mv insect net. I Know of a few beinre seer and killed 138. apout the cornatories here. ORDER INSECTIVORA. Family Soricidee. 5 7 BLARINA BREVICAUDA( Say ). “7 Liole Snrev. This is a verv cormorinammal in tre region about the Collcge. I have caught a mutpcr in my traps curing this last winter. Rav fresh meat was uscd as bait in my small traps, and in large traps that I have had baited with whole mice I have often caught this.shrev. They seem to be found everyrnere. I have taken them in the thick woods, end in the open fields. I caught one in a runway in the sphagmyr moss in a low, wet spruce and temarack swamp, and I also found one in a trap that I had set under a corn shock. They are often causht in runvays mace by micc, where the shrew is probably following the trail of some other little izammal, to meke it its prey. Tho rreat capacity that the shrew has for food is cer- tainly remarkable. I nave reveatedly known theri to devour mammals mich Llerger tien themselves. Last Jamuary I nada oy rat trap set on the river bank for avrensel. It wes baitec e witn a good sized carcass of a Wnite-footed Mouse. I visitec O the trap erter leaving it over nignt and found a shrew of this specics caurht in it, and nothing but the sKin, with onliv one or tvro smell bones of the mouse, was round in tne trap. The shrev nad completcly caten the mouse before the tren had smmmge. On another occasion I caught a snrew wnen the tran hac sovrunge as scon as the mouse used as beit had yeen seized, Tre teen of the deac chrev he: the mouse's ear, to which the dead shrev vas clinging. On several orteacions when I visite: 4a mouse tra» I have found ut the skin of a Meadow Mouse or VWhite-footed house in it. A shrew haa evidently came along and devoured thre cpecimen. ry vresctting the trans and paiting tren with meat I have in aliost every instance caught the c From the rrect voracity of this little marrial it certain- ly mist be of great economic valuc, for to satisfv its enor- mous anvetite it must destroy many injurious mice and insects. VanLliy Talpnicee,. 4° SCALOPS AQUATICUS (lh) Cround hole. In everv lonalitv with trhrieh I am acquainted the Ground Mole is an apundant svecics. It is common in all places in the State from which I have received notes. Te seldom sce the mole, but we know of its presence by tne lone ridges that it makes along the ground, caused by its tunnelins just below the surface. On this account the mole does rreat injury in iayvns and gardens, and it is thus considered ereat vest. Mole trans of various cortrivanees ere mace for the purpose of exterminating this animal in places ‘here it cdoes damare. There are a sreat many about the campus here at this Agriculturai Colicge. Their "hills," consisting of small viltes of dirt, are scen in many places about the layns. Prei. VWneeler shoved me 2 place last January where tie moles had been working beneath the snow, anda pile of cirt was throrn wo wpON the sirfaece of the srov. mee CRISTATA. (h) Staz—nosed liole, I Have oniv one recor? of tho Star-nosed Mole beinsr taken in Ingnemn county, and that was by Chas. Lavis, of Lancir vho found one upon his latn a year or so ago; ne now has it mounted in his collection. It is reported fron other locali- ties in this part of the State, and it is probably found here im more or less numbers. As there has been little scicntific research in the tnarmal life of this county, this mole coulé reve been casily overlooked. I have set traps in many places where it secmed likcly this srecics might occur, but in no instance vas @ sncecimen secured. Ea. Yan Winkle, of Van Harbor, hkien., reports it from his localitv (Delta Co.) in the Upper Peninsula. E. lL. Mosely, of Sandusky, Ohio, gives it as having been founded in seven counties in Ohic, end A. W. Butler records it from onc county, (Miami) in Indiena. ORDSR CHIROPTERA. ramily Vesvortilionieae. 2a lr. VESPERTILIO SUBLATUS Say. Little Brown Sat. As nearly all my work studving and collecting mam mals has been done during the winter, I have not secured eny bats, and so eannot testify personally to this species occur- ring here. I have cecn many bats here in the past, but it is impossible to cistinguish :»necies at nignt While they are flying svittliyv about. I have taken the species in other loccit- itics, but nover happened to take one here. wuowever, from the netes oviainel from other observers, I have ro resitation in wecording this as one or our coron species. It is revort-— ed as cormion in Washtenaw County »y Dr. Stecre and UN. A. Wood. Perey Selous fives it as common in liontealm County. «¢. 3B. suavorth in 1683 says: " It is abundant everyvrere, D>. Morris CGivns says: " It is our most abundant species. It is found in a state of activity ror about lay Ist... to Oet. lst. I have centured nocorly a hundred in one visit in simmer to an Ola saw mlil where they lived in clumps and crannies about the structure." 3° VESPLRUGO NOCTIVACANS § ( c: GC ©2 oO = cr @) nw Siiver Rlack Bat. This is anotnor species of bat with which I an little acquainted. I nave teker ore seynceimen here on the night of August B8th., 1885. This I caugnt in my insect net arter it flev into mv room. I find very little information upon this species in the notes sent to me bv observers, Prof. Barrows tells me that it is "Abundant ct I. A. C3 soveral snecimens are in the College Museim,!# == ATALAPHA NOVIEBORACENSIS (fxerleben) Ped Bet. This is a very cormon specics in this County, and it is probably found all over Lichigan. David Starr Jorden, in his Hanual of Vertci rates, fives it as abundant everywner in the United States. Every observer from whom I have heard rives it as common in his locality in Michigan. kL. J. Colic 3 csavg that he nas teken as many as eight in a net in one ever- hea ing at Grand Rapids, and that he could have gotten more, There was a svecimen orecught to me by a stucent a few cays Avo. ae nad eaurhnt it apout the clestrice lights in Lansing, om the night of Mav ré6th., 1808. ORDER UNGULATA. Family cervidac. CARIACUS VIRCINIAUUS (Boddaert ) Virgin:.a Deer. Neer nunting at present is one of tre most popular soorts in Michigan, and cvery fall hundreds of sportsmen flock to the northern vartc of our State to engare in runting this noble gase animal. Notwithstanding the great raid that is made upon this svecies every vear, the Deer is still coimon in Northern Lichigan. Were it not for our etrict franc laws I believe that the number of deer in our State would deerease rapidly, arc it roule not be long till this syscies rould yecore extinct, or nearly so, in iiechigan. As it is, the law places a limitation upon the so-called "same hors", and }-~ tne Beer tzanages to hold its own, and is still cormon in mar of the unsettled parts of our State. Av present, in Ingham County, the deer is extinct, and if ore were ever found here now it would be aceidental. It orobabply has peen about forty ywars or more since the Deer inhabited this region. Norman A. Wood, of Ann Arbor, says that it was ecmmon in Washtenaw County up to 1850. Dr. Morris Gibbs says that it was abundant in Kalamazoo County up to apout rortyv—-rive years afro, and that many rere seen as late as 1850. He also savs that the last one seen in that County was in November, 1874. Mr. N. A. Wood telis me that there are a few in honroe County, iichigan, at the present -% twarie., 9 DP. Deal a@lso inrorms me thet he has neard of their koing round in that locality lately. CERVUS CANADENSIS -Erxleben. VWaniti or Elk. Tne Lik was certeinly an inhabitart cf this County many yeers *fo0, For & mueaber of horrsa have peen round here. Dr. Atkins, in his List of the LMemmals of Michifan, seys of the Elks: "Onee abundant, jucgingc from the horns that were siren over the ground wren the Countv (Ingham) was new." nas. Davis, of Lansing, tells me that E1Lk horns have been founc in this Countv. There is ore of these norns here in the Collere lusewa that was taken in Ingran county in 1884 by James Troope. There are also tro th: t were found in Clinton County (the next county north) by this same person. One was found in 1817, and the other in 1373. kK Pind riany reeords in the notes that I have received rvom other localitics of Elk's herns being found, and I have no coubt but that the ELK was once a cortion mammal in our Stave. Dr. Lanly liillcs, in his list published in 1861, says: "The Elk is found in avcundance in the counties of Huron ane oanilac, about the heac-weters of the Cass River." Dz. Beal te.ls me that it used to exist Lin the "Trumb" of hichiran. r @ tH e "Q e C2 ooper, of Choboygan, Mich., in 2 letter written to Dr. Gibbs on Feb. 24th., 1825, says: " The last BLK nilied in this State that I have knowledge of was fourteen years ago. Sanilae and Huron Counties helé tre last ones," ORDER Rah. 7 y~ < aa vv - - ~ ‘ ” Pamnily procvonicee. PROCYON LOTOR (L) haccoon, During all my rambles about the woods in this locality I have net yet met with a Toon, although I havn't the sligntcet doubt that this animal is cormion here, as it is in all heavily vocoded regions througnout the Stucte. >, Keel tells me that he has often heard of their being taken here, and that they are very corrion in Ingham Ccunty, at present. Albinism is not infrequent in this species, jucring from the number of white sexncecimens thet are taken. There are one or two ir the luscum here ot 1. A. ¢., anc Dr. d. B. Steere reportnr that ther l.ave been taken several tines at Ann Arbor, Horman A. Vood also says that albino forms are founa, ory year at Ann Arbor. Family Ursicece. URSUS AMERICANUS Pallas. Brown, Black or Cinnamon Bear. The Bear is at present a resident of tre wild rerions of the northern parts of our State. Like many of our other mammals it has been driven northward on account or the settlenent anc clearing up or land to sucn a large extent in Southern Michigan. The bear has left this region within a comparatively recent time. It lingered here tmich longer than the Deer, and it was probably the last of our large mazmals to disap— Ned pear, Dr. AtKins records one as being shot in 18383 in Ingham County. vz. liorris Gibbs says the last one snot in halamazoo County was on Dee. 15th., 1885. Dz. Beal tells mo that one wes Killed near the signt of the present Herrison Hall, just off the College frounds, about 1878. At the present tine a bear oceasionally wancers rar south, enc it seems to me that it would rot be impossible for a strargler to pet as far 23 Inghan Courtyr. I reac of one being killed near Corunna, aoout tuenty miles north of here, in Shiavassee County, last fall, and woon inauiring of a reliable person from there I found tho report to pe true. It was stated that the bear was vwitn her cubs when snot. rarily hiustclidae. LUTRA HUDSONICA (lLacepede ) Arorican Otter. The only information that I have obtained regardinm: une Otter in this County was received from Mr. W. S. Wrifrht, of Lansing. He tells me of his seeing one from the Washingtor Avenue bridrce, in Lansing, in 1887. He says that there used to be an Otter slide on the Red Cedar River, near Lansirg. From the notes that I have received on this specics, I should judge that the Otter may be found in any part of the Statc at the present tire, bui it is cxceedingly rare in most rlaeces. Fertore the State was so thickly settled the Otter wes meh more eormron than it is at presert. Neither D>. Steere nor N. A. Wood give anv recent records of the speoies peing found at Ann Arbor. L. WV. Watkins says: that individuals are still to be met with in Jackson County. Percy Selous, of Greenville, savs: "It was formerly cormion here, but rare now." Rob't Il, Woleott says: "Foune near Grand Rapids, ls rere." De. Morris Gib os says: "It is a rare sdccies nov; once not uwneorson along the banks of the Halartazoo River. I have evidence from good sources of Otters being seen an? aken about Hillsdale, in Hi liscale County. “* MEPHITIS MEPHITICA (Shar) skunk. Juesing from the fracrant (?) odors that are so often afloat unon the breezes in this locality, I should consider the Skunk ¢ cormion marmal here, althourh I have not chanced tz mrect one wnile on any of my woodland excur- Sions in tris County. This is verhavs simply becausc I havn't taken pains to look one wp. I have ceen a imvtber in iiliscale County, wiere they are also vory e@orecon. eivos the Skunk ~ vordan, it hie isnua2 or Vertebrates, as apuncant from Hudson's Bay to Mexieo. They are given ac cormon br every ohsemver who has sent me information on mam mals. I have little doubt but that the Skunk is found in abuntanee all over hMichifan. The fur oi the Skunk is rather valuable, and many of these inamrals are Killed for their skins. I. A. Wood says that they «re becoming less common in the vicinity of Ann Arbor on this account. Skunk raising is sometimes made a wusiness, and many of these animals are often raiscd for the income that might be obtained by selling their skins. There was a skunk farm near Hillsdale, owred by a gentleman by the name of Bates. He raised skunks for a few years, cut re soon abandonec the business, as his skunks became infested by a Ciscase that caused tnieir hair to fall out, hence their hides were ruinec for market purroscs. eyr We e VAXIDIA ALBRICANA. Bacrer,. Bacgers are occasionally found in Ingham county at whe present time. Diek herrison, the »erdsman here at Lh. oA. C., took cne wpen the College farm about lour years aro. cChas Pavis anid. E. Nichols both tell me that the Badger is found rere. There is a specimen in the lhiscuw I Know of a few being taken in Hillscale County within the last few yoars, and I have often >eard of their being found in scther places in tnis part of the State. N. A. Wood writes me from Ann Arbor that he had two brought him in the surmer of 1806. He savs the svecies is rare about Ann Arbor. Im, J. B. Stcere also gives tne specics as rare about Ann Avbpor, but still exists there. Robort H. Volcott writes me that it is occasionally seen in the voods north of Grand hapids. Perey Selous seys: "It is rare; I have taken three specimens tvo miles froi, Greenville, hontcalm County, never-— the less." L. Jd. cole says tvat he has been told of its oceurrenee in Ionia county. It is uncoubtedly very rare in Kalamazoo County, as De. Cibbs coes not knor or a specimen being trken there in recent vears., The last onc captured, to his knovledre, ras on Fav 1l4th., 1877. F. E. Brewster, of Iron Kountain, says: "It is rare; one was Killed near Norway, Dickinson County, in 1883." From the notes received, I snould jucge that this specics may be foune at present in any favorable locality anywhere in this State, but it is very rare in iost places. SA | CG) ° LUSTELA PENNANTI (Erxichen ) riciier or Pekan. I record the Fisher as a marmal of Inghar County on the authority of Dr. Atkins, who, in his notes fiven in alist written in 1883, tells of a spceimen being taken in Ingham County in 1888. He says that it wes a male, and weigned tventy pounes. I can find no other record, besides tris of Dr. Atkins, of the Fisher's being found in this locality. This marmal is probably extinct in all of our southern counties at present. Aceoring to notes received, it is more or less common in various localitics in the Northcrn Penin- sula, ani it is probably fourd in places in the northern part of the southern Penirsula. Percy Selous, o1 Greenville, save: "It is not raze North, but Rare South; teken in lhiis- saukee County. - PUTORIUS VISON (Sehredcr) Mink. The link is a common mamsal all over our State in all favorablic locelities where trapping hes not been carricd on to too great an extcnt. J have seen them in Ingham Court, on a fev oceasions. They have becn taken along the Red Cedar River here, and I have no doubt but that they are co:zmon along this stream. I have seen a number in Hillsdale Countr. They are trapved quite extensively in this localitv, esneciclcy along the streams anc lakes near Hillsdale. = PUT RIUS NOVERORACHHSIS De hay Veasei or Ermine. fiisc 2s the cormzon YWeoasel of our State. I heave caurht four of these la.rmmals in rat traps in this County during the lest winter, anil I eauzgnt one ir Hillsdale county. Tre treps were a kind kntwn as the clayor rat trap, menu- Cfactured by the Lovell Manufacturing Co., of Erie, ra. They were set elosc to a rail fence in three cases, and near a wire anc pickct fence in thc otner instance. A earcass of a mouse of any species ansvcrs as bait. The best places for catching these ma:rtzzals I have found to be along the reil fences that vorder swamps or lor pieces of bushy or wooded land, The rail fence is evidentiv used as a hirhvay bv this animal, anc a trap properly set and baited in his path is almost sure to attract and ceateh hin. Of the five specimens secured, two were males and three were remales, All were in ca white pelage, cxeept two females. These rere in their regular summer pelage — brown above and white below. I cannot come to any definite eoneclusion re- garding the color changes of this specics from the few cveci- mens obtaincd, but it is certainly a fact trat the chansze Coes not eome to all indivicuals of tris snveeies at the same time. Some cithner do not become white in winter at all, or else the change ics meh delayed. These two brown females were caught on the following dates: January Srd., 1893, and January 6th., 1898. The white female was obtained about a month later, rebruary 1le2th., 1803. The males were obtained December llth., 1897, and January 10th., 1868. Frou tnesc fev facts it mignt look as if the change was mich slower in c+ ~! 4 tre ferele 4 ran im the male, ana that the white pulere of the fezcle does not eome till lite in the scesor.. Rut it is not safe to draw any gonelusions from these fev spestimens. It 2 would be well for every tranver ene sticent to keep ecenrete notcs regarding the color, with the date and place of taking of covery snceimen that comes under his observation. In this Vay some intcresting facts may be found regarding the color change in this svccics, Family Caridae. VULPES VULPES (L) hea lox, Beyona a doubt tho Red Fox is found here in Ingham County at the prescnt time, although, irom its great shyness, en. Nearly every obscrver in the southern part of the State mentions it from his locality, but gives it as rare. In is more common. County, writing BE. I. Brevweter, same year rrote before Southern wes undoubtedly the northern part of Michigan, hoviever, it lv, games Herring, of Rockland, Ontonagon in 1806, gave it as plentiful in his locélit;. ov Iron hourtain, Pieckinson county, in this +. Gilbs that it was " abundant everrvvmhere," liichifan was so thickly settled the liced Fox common everywhere in this region. J. HE. Niehols, of Lansing, tells me that he has taken it in this County, and that they are here at present. Chas. Davis, of Lansing, also tells me that they are found in this locality. The only Rea rox I have ever seen in a wild state was about eicht yeers agro. I was riding in the country near wWw* > Hilisdale one mild winter day when a fox of this specics crossec the road put a short cistance before the buggy. Cy) | }- This was ir an oven, well settled region and not far from a arin house. UROCYOHW CINNREO-Arrentatus (Schreber )! 02 Grey Fox. Although onee a@ corson svecics in many parts or our State, the Grey Fox is recorded es rare in cverv localit:: in hichigan from which I have received notes. In Washtenar County Dr. J. B. Steere corcsciders it as extinct. He says led some f£iftecn vears ago. Norman }-4 that the last one ras Ki A. Woot, of Ann Arbor, says: "The last one I ever saw was wrought to me to rount in 1882 -— Killed fovr miles couth of Ann Artozr." Perey Selous gives it as formerly cormon at Greenville, but rare there now. D>. H. A. Atkins, writinc in 18838, sg@ys: "This species was more abundant in 1842 than the Cormon Rei Fox; now it is scaree." I have no information regarding this svecies in the Northern Peninsula, except from one locality. Mr. Van Winkle, of Van Harbor, Delta County, in some notes sent to Dr. Gibbs in 1895 cives it as "rare" in his locality. Sa 99 The only authority that I have for giving this marmial of Ingham County, except Dr. Atkins in the note given above, is Charles Devis, of Lansing, who tells me that skins are sometimes bprcught into Lansing markets from animals teken in this vicinity. CANIS LUPUS L. Wolrt. Tne Volf certeirly used to be found in abundance in Inghem County, but it has long been extinet here. 3° Qa, e Le. J. EH. Nienols is sure that they used to be founi in abundance near Lansing. Tre Wolf at prescnt is found only in the wild region or the Northern Peninsula, aqua possibly in « rew localities in the Soutkern. Dr. horris Gidbs seyvs thet it positively occurred in halarazoo County up to 1840. He also savs, -erarding this svrectes in hichifan: "Not very rare north of 4 the 44th. parallel, ard not cormon anywhere." Famnilv Felicae, LYNX RUFUS (Culdenstadt). Wild Cat. The Wild cat is: another mamzal that has been neariv oxterninaeted in the southern part of Michigan. It is found wut rarely in this vart of the State, and is cormion oniy in the wilds of the Nortr. It was found in Ingnaim county many roars aro. Dr. Atkins savs in his notes vritten in 1883: "It was cormson when the county was rew." Oecasionally a Wild Cat is found in this part of tne State at the vresent time, but thev are very rare. Perey 5selous tells te oF one Feing Killed three miics cast or Groerville on Januerv Ooth., 1895. It was & male, and weighed 36 Lbs. HYPOTHETICAL LIST. In this list I include those species that misht be found in Ingham County, but of their occurrence here I have been unable to obtain information. Any one of the species nere listed probably occurs, or has occurred, in this locality, and it may be establisned by future investi- - —_— — - _ | “fe erere cation as properly being placed upon the list or t*:e maizzals Sw > 4% e yx - A, or Ingham County. ORDER LARSUPIALIA. Vaiilvy bidelphicicee. LILTELPHIS VIRGINIANA Shav. Cormon Opossum. It has been found in Washtenayv (Wood, Sudvorth and Watkins), Leonaree (B301les, Beal), Hillsdalc (Boies), Wayne (:urtee) and Genessee Counties in Michigan. It may have ey b- 22 vrandered as far north as Inerer County. Dr. Atkins in op) ct $3 ck ° list written in 1333 says: "I never sav but one in the er . $9 ct a5 years aso." As he lived in Ingham County it Lay be ORDYR GhIRES,. Family Zapodcidae. ZAPUS HUDSONIUS (Zimmermann). Jumping louse. gniis species is reeorded? in Washtenaw Countv bv D>. J. B. Steere, N. A. Wood, R. H. Wolcott and L. W. Watkins, anc also in Wayne County ov A. B. Durfee. Sudvorth, in his list written in 1333, says of the Jumping Louse: "Not uncom mon; chiefly in Central an? Soutnern parts of the State," ~. Lorris Gibbs reeords taking a specimen in Kalamazoo County, on low bottom land on the Kalamazoo River, in 1884. I think that this mammal is found in this County, but in- formation to that crfrect is lacking at present. © Pailly Muricae. SYNAPTOLYS COCPIERI Baird. Lemming lLiouse. This exvccier has peen found in only one localitv in .Genigar, as far as I can learn. Tr. J. B. Steere records 7% in VYashtenaw county. He says: "It exists at Ann Arbor, but it is rare and apparently in detached colonies,.# CALOMYS MICHIGANENSIS (And. and Bach. ) This sepeies is recordea as ceeurring in Washtenar County by R. H. Wolcott and G. B. Sudworth. Dr. Miles in- cludes it in his list, oublished in 1860, but he gives no notes on the svecies. MUS RATTUS LL. Black Rat. I have little doubt but that this is an extinct species in Kichifan at the present time. A. B. Covert tells of one boing caught in the hichifan Central depot at Ann Arbor. This is the only svecimen that I can find reszord of being taken in liichifgan. This sDpecies was introducee inio Aneries& apout 1544, but tre Brown Rat (Mus Cesaunanus) which came later soon exterminated it. Fanily Seiuridae. SPVRMOPHILUS FRANKLINI (Sabim) Gray Gopher. T=is is a very rare species in Michigan. Two specimens have peen taken in Oakland County; one was obtaincd by 2. Robert Potter at Austin, ana the other was found bv Hr. Jd. VW. Anderson, of Lakeville. +» WOuld te very aceidental if one of these trarzcals were found in Ingham County. ORDIUR INSECTIVORA. Pamnily Soricidae. SORGX PLATYRHINUS Pe hay Coryion Shrer. This is given as “poe rare" at Arn Arbor by Norman A. Wooa,. BLARINA EXILIPES Baird. br. H. A. AtKins, in his list of the harmaals of michigan Lur 1838, says: "This species Was taken by ie in 1874; aceidentel." ORDER CHIKROPTER Family Vespertilioni dae. ATALAPHA CINERSA (Beauvais). Hoary Bat. This syecies is probably found ih ingham County, as it is resorded from otner localities in this part of tho State. They are fiven as raze by most observers. ORDER UNGULATA. "aMLly Bovidé.c. uA BISON BISON (L.) ~., Jd. B. Steere writes me that ne round a horn fg Kic2 10€ Zold pov asef, A hen at Ann Arbor that vas ann ntly a Burfaito' Be, Perey Selous says that there are spots in Michigan still called Burralo Wallows. It may be that in the remote past that this animal On) was Lourd in Miehnigan. If so, it may have existed in Inghan County, ORDER TERA®, Family hLustelidae, NUSTELA ALMRICANA Turton. Sable or Pine Lartin. This species is found North at present, Gi:d is eiven as corvnon by scme observers. Perey Selous says that it is "cormon in kissaukce County." Before the county vas settled, tre Martin may have been found in Ingham County, though it was probably rare. PULTORIUS LONGICAUDA Bonaparte. Long-tailed Weasel. Perey Selous writes ine that he has taken one sveci- men or this svccies at Greenville. PUTORIUS NIVALIS (L.) Least Weasel. Norman A. Wood says that a few have been taken eat (Aue Jillae hoecne 2 4 halad, / 8/0 Ann A»bor., Perey Selous gives it as "not rare" at Creenvilic. Robert H. Wolcott writes me that it has been found at Grand Ravids. Family Felidae. LYNX CANADENSIS (Derorest). Cunada Lynx. This Lynx is undoubtedly a rare rmarnal in any part of Michigan at the present time. It may have been foune in 9 Ingham Countv vears ao, FELIS CONCOLCR L. Arierican Panther. I can find no record whatever of the Panther ever being found in Michigan. There is but a slight possibility of its cxisting in Ingham County, many years ago. —-O— iyi 845 ‘co ao om Oo oO @ iN - o il [