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Title: Mammals taken Along the Alaska Highway

Author: Rollin H. Baker

Release Date: October 19, 2010 [EBook #33915]

Language: English

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University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History

Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, A. Byron Leonard,
Edward H. Taylor, Robert W. Wilson

Volume 5, No. 9, pp. 87-117, 1 figure in text
November 28, 1951

 

 

University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

 

 

PRINTED BY
FERD VOILAND, JR., STATE PRINTER
TOPEKA, KANSAS
1951

23-7607

[Pg 89]

Mammals from along the Alaska Highway were obtained for the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History in the summers of 1947 and 1948 by Mr. J. R. Alcorn, field representative of the Museum. He and his family visited Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and Alaska in an automobile and trailer from June 9, 1947, to September 6, 1947, and again from June 8, 1948, to August 24, 1948. In 1947, considerable time was spent by Alcorn in Alaska; trips were made on the Steese Highway to Circle and on the Glenn Highway to Anchorage. In 1948, most of the collecting was done in British Columbia and in the Yukon Territory but a side trip was taken to Haines, Alaska. The collecting stations are shown in figure 1. Alcorn's 1,252 specimens include several large series from areas where few or no mammals had been taken previously. Time spent at each collecting station was of short duration (usually less than three days) and although 56 species and subspecies of mammals are represented in the collections, it is recognized that not all of the kinds of mammals at any one locality were taken.

For the loan of comparative mammalian material, grateful acknowledgment is made to officials of the following institutions: California Academy of Sciences; Biological Surveys collection of the U. S. National Museum; Provincial Museum, Victoria, B. C.; National Museum of Canada. The promptness of officials of the game commissions of the provinces and territories concerned, in providing permits for collecting also is acknowledged. A part of the funds for field work was made available by a grant from the Kansas University Endowment Association. Elevations above sea level are given in feet. Capitalized color terms refer to those in Ridgway, Color Standards and Color Nomenclature, Washington, D. C., 1912.

[Pg 91]

[Pg 92]

Remarks.—Shrews from extreme northwestern British Columbia (Stonehouse Creek) average slightly larger than typical S. c. cinereus, especially in length of tail. These animals show definite evidence of intergradation with the larger subspecies, S. c. streatori, but are referable to S. c. cinereus. The pallor of some shrews from east-central Alaska (Chatanika River and Salcha River) suggests intergradation with the pale S. c. hollisteri.

Alcorn found the cinereous shrew at most of his trapping stations. It was captured in mouse traps baited with "chewed" rolled oats; one was taken in a trap baited with a grasshopper. Rand (1944:35) and Alcorn each found this shrew to be one of the commoner mammals along the Alaska Highway, but Alcorn did not find it to be so abundant as some of the rodents in areas in which he trapped. The cinereous shrew was taken principally in moist woodlands, grassy areas, and adjacent to water. One female taken on July 18 was lactating.

Remarks.—Average and extreme external measurements of the nine adult specimens from 1 mile south of Haines are as follows: Total length, 103 (98-105); tail, 45 (43-46); and condylobasal length, 16.2 (16.0-16.4). Corresponding measurements of an adult specimen (No. 1676, UKMNH) from Sitka, Alaska, are 108, 47, and 16.5. Measurements of ten adult specimens from the Chilkat River, 9 miles west and 4 miles north of Haines, are 100 (91-106), 44 (40-50), 16.0 (15.5-16.5). The slightly smaller average size of the latter specimens indicates a trend toward the smaller S. c. cinereus, which occurs farther inland. Skulls of some of the specimens from the Chilkat River have a more slender rostrum than those of the specimens from 1 mile south of Haines, and more nearly resemble S. c. cinereus in this respect. Evidently, as indicated by Jackson (1928:54), S. c. streatori occupies only an extremely narrow strip of mainland in the vicinity of Haines.

Remarks.—Both specimens of this pale subspecies were trapped, along with six Clethrionomys and one Mus, in a grassy area bordered on one side by the road and on the other by a spruce forest. No. 21069, ♂?, taken on August 21, is in molt, with one patch of new fur on the rump and another along the midline of the nape and shoulders.

Remarks.—Some of the shrews taken in extreme southwestern Yukon Territory (1½ miles south and 3 miles east of Dalton Post) and in extreme northwestern British Columbia (Stonehouse Creek and Mt. Glave) show evidence of intergradation with the coastal subspecies, S. o. alascensis, in length of hind foot. These individuals have a long hind foot (14 and 15); the hind feet of specimens from the other localities listed measure 13 and 14.

Alcorn, like Rand (1944:35), found the dusky shrew to be less common than the cinereous shrew; both were taken in the same trap lines. The dusky shrew was taken at a higher altitude (4000 feet, on Mt. Glave) than the cinereous shrew.

Remarks.—These three shrews, in comparison with those referred to S. o. obscurus, are paler, and the one complete skull has a slightly higher braincase. All of the specimens were obtained in grassy areas adjacent to the roadway.

Remarks.—Those males with worn teeth seem to have a slightly longer and deeper rostrum with a larger, more inflated cranium than specimens of S. p. navigator from Washington, but in other ways resemble typical S. p. navigator. An adult male, with slightly worn teeth, from Dezadeash Lake has sagittal and lambdoidal crests. All of the water shrews were taken in July and early August and at the edge of water in traps baited with rolled oats. None of the females had embryos.

Remarks.—The 38 bats were from a colony of approximately 75 individuals, found on the south side of a house. The paper was loose and had buckled in numerous places allowing room for the bats to ensconce themselves between the paper and outside wall.

Remarks.—The specimen is considerably darker both above and below than either of two specimens of M. l. alascensis from Red Bluff Bay, Alaska. Alcorn searched ten frame buildings in an abandoned camp on the east side of Screw Creek, for bats and found only the one bat. It was above some droppings. No droppings were found in other buildings.

[Pg 96]

Remarks.—In comparing specimens obtained by Alcorn with published descriptions of O. collaris in Howell (1924:35), it appeared that measurable geographic variation might be present in this monotypic species. Accordingly, comparisons were made with materials in the Biological Surveys collection of the U. S. National Museum, the Provincial Museum, Victoria, B. C., and the National Museum of Canada. A comparison of specimens of similar ages showed that no subspecific separation is justified although animals from the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories, as compared with available material from Alaska, tend to be grayer in color and longer in total length with a slightly larger skull and greater alveolar length of molariform tooth-row in both upper and lower jaws.

Specimens used for comparison were from the following localities: Alaska: Mts. near Eagle (USBS), 15; 200 mi. S Fort Yukon (USBS), 2; Upper Little Delta River, Glacier Creek, Mt. Hayes region (USBS), 1; Glacier Creek, Mt. Hayes region (USBS), 3; Little Delta River, Slate Creek, Red Mt. Camp, Mt. Hayes region (USBS), 1; Muldron Glacier, Mt. McKinley (USBS), 2; Mt. McKinley (USBS), 3; Summit of Chugach Mts., on Richardson Highway, N of Valdez (USBS), 1; Chitina River Glacier (Nat. Mus. Canada), 3. Yukon Territory: McMillan Pass, Canol Road, mile 282 (Nat. Mus. Canada), 2; Rose River, Canol Road, mile 95 (Nat. Mus. Canada), 8; Tepee Lake (Nat. Mus. Canada), 1; Conrad (Nat. Mus. Canada), 1; near Teslin Lake (Nat. Mus. Canada), 1. Northwest Territories: headwaters of Caracajou River, Canol Road, mile 111E (Nat. Mus. Canada), 1. British Columbia: White Mt., Moose Arm, Tagish Lake, Atlin (Prov. Mus., Victoria, B.C.), 2.

Remarks.—Alcorn reports seeing few hares on his two trips to Alaska. Near the Miniker River, a geologist told him that the numbers [Pg 97] of these animals had steadily declined since 1943. One of three seen in a spruce forest on July 8, 1947, near Whitehorse was taken by Alcorn. A young one was captured in a rat trap in a building near the Teslin River on July 5 of the same year.

Remarks.—Rand (1944:42) experienced difficulty in assigning subspecific names to red squirrels taken along the Alaska Highway in northern British Columbia. Some variability as found by Rand is noted in adults taken by Alcorn in this area. All of the specimens assigned to T. h. columbiensis have a darker tail and more tawny feet than T. h. preblei. The average of skulls of adults is smaller than the skull of an adult of T. h. preblei from Yerrick Creek, Alaska.

Alcorn obtained most of the squirrels in rat traps and steel traps, using "chewed" rolled oats as well as bits of fish and mouse bodies as bait.

Remarks.—Specimens from extreme southwestern Yukon Territory appear to be referable to this subspecies. The one adult female (skull only, with body measurements) from the southwestern end of Dezadeash Lake has a shorter skull than does any adult female of T. h. columbiensis. No skins of adults are in the series, but the skins of three subadults have darker upper parts, a darker tail and less olivaceous sides than T. h. columbiensis.

[Pg 98]

Remarks.—In comparison with specimens of T. h. hudsonicus from Iskwasum Lake, District of the Pas, Manitoba, the squirrel from Yerrick Creek, an adult female, is larger and paler on the upper parts and tail.

The squirrel taken at Yerrick Creek was captured in a rat trap; Alcorn found these animals to be "fairly common" in that area. He obtained no evidence that the natives use them for food.

Remarks.—The specimens vary much in color; most color variation is the result of wear and fading. In pallor of coloration the specimens taken on August 16 along the Richardson Highway, 32 [Pg 99] miles south and 4 miles west of Big Delta, Alaska, show some resemblance to C. p. ablusus, which occurs to the westward, although in other diagnostic characters these specimens are typically C. p. plesius.

Specimens in early stages of molt were taken on July 3, 4, and 14; another specimen in an advanced stage of molt was obtained on July 10. One melanistic individual was taken one mile northeast of Whitehorse on July 11.

Alcorn found these ground squirrels locally abundant, especially in the vicinity of Whitehorse in Yukon Territory. A large population was observed along the highway west of the Teslin River; animals were seen for several miles along the road, principally in open coniferous forests where there was little or no underbrush. Alcorn caught several animals near the city dump at Whitehorse. Along the Richardson Highway he observed these ground squirrels almost continuously for approximately ten miles. He comments that the animals appeared to be more numerous in the man-cleared areas along the highway than in "unmolested areas farther back from the highway." Specimens were taken with collecting gun and in rat traps baited with "chewed" rolled oats.

Remarks.—Specimens with worn pelage are conspicuously paler and grayer than those in fresh pelage. Chipmunks in early stages of molt with fresh pelage extending posteriorly to the middle of the dorsal part of the back were taken on June 19, 20, and 22; others in fresh pelage above, except for the hind quarters, were taken on June 15 and on September 2.

Alcorn found this species nowhere abundant; for example, in 187 museum special traps set near Charlie Lake, 5 miles west and 3 miles north of Fort St. John, in British Columbia, he took only one chipmunk.

[Pg 100]

Remarks.—Some of the specimens taken between Summit Pass and Toad River show evidence of intergradation between the paler and grayer E. m. caniceps and the brighter and browner E. m. borealis. Rand (1944:41) also found evidence of intergradation between these two subspecies in this area.

Along the highway, Alcorn found this species to be somewhat more abundant in the Yukon Territory than in British Columbia. He often found the animals occupying abandoned road camps; seemingly they were more numerous in these areas than in undisturbed natural habitat.

Remarks.—Although comparative material is not available at this writing, descriptions in the literature indicate that this single adult female belongs to the coastal form, G. s. zaphaeus. In both color and in cranial and external measurements, this specimen appears to agree closely with descriptions given by Howell (1918:43) and by Cowan (1937:78 and 82), although its measurements are also in the range of those given for G. s. alpinus by Cowan (loc. cit.). It may be pointed out that Swarth (1936:402) regarded a specimen from 15 miles south of Atlin, British Columbia, as G. s. alpinus.

Measurements of Alcorn's specimen are as follows: total length, 331; tail, 143; hind foot, 42; ear from notch, 23; greatest length of [Pg 101] skull, 41.7; zygomatic breadth, 25.7; mastoid breadth, 21.7; length of nasals, 12.2; length maxillary tooth-row, 8.2; interorbital constriction, 8.2; and postorbital constriction, 9.0.

Remarks.—Two beaver skulls obtained by Alcorn from trapper Johnny Pie appear to be of this subspecies. Anderson (1947:133) records this subspecies from the Liard River, in the area from which these specimens were taken. The trapper told Alcorn that he shot these two beavers in the winter of 1947-48 and hung the skulls in a tree.

Remarks.—Specimens from the localities listed above are in the geographic range of P. m. algidus as outlined by Anderson (1947: 136). Specimens from the vicinity of Haines, Alaska, are slightly darker indicating intergradation with P. m. hylaeus; Osgood (1909a: 54 and 56) also noted that intergradation between P. m. algidus and P. m. hylaeus occurs in this area.

Remarks.—Specimens from 2 miles west of Teslin River resemble P. m. borealis more than P. m. algidus both in size of skull and in color, although I find it difficult to distinguish the specimens by color.

Alcorn, like Rand (1945:43), found the mouse in almost every habitat along the Alaska Highway. On the east side of the Minaker River, one mile west of Trutch, Alcorn took 26 Peromyscus and four Microtus in 70 museum special traps baited with chewed rolled oats, set in a grassy area where there were birches and clumps of willows. Peromyscus was usually abundant in old construction camps along the highway; on July 27 in 50 traps set under abandoned buildings at Summit Pass, Alcorn took 21 Peromyscus. Apparently, as Swarth (1936:402) notes, the white-footed mouse makes itself at home in such buildings, and local populations probably increase as a result of the artificial environment that provides favorable conditions for existence.

Remarks.—Wood rats were obtained at only two locations, Alcorn's field notes indicating that the animals were rare and spotty in distribution. Rand (1944:44) comments that the rats were "scarce north of the Lower Liard Crossing."

At both localities where specimens were taken, Alcorn noted first their characteristic droppings. At Summit Pass, droppings were found in a rock slide at the upper limit of timber line; one rat was taken. At the trapping station five miles west and three miles north of Fort St. John, droppings were found in and under an old abandoned building; four young (two prepared) and one adult were obtained.

[Pg 103]

Remarks.—The northern bog lemming is evidently not generally distributed along the Alaska Highway but may be locally numerous in cover of grass and sedge especially in marsh and bog habitat. Five specimens were obtained in a grassy area 30 feet wide by 60 feet long which was approximately 50 feet from McIntyre Creek in the Yukon Territory. In 22 mouse traps set the first night in this locality, three Synaptomys, six Microtus and one Sorex were taken. One additional Synaptomys was taken on each of the following two nights in the same area. At Deadman Lake, Alaska, one Synaptomys was taken in heavy sedge bordering a small pond.

Remarks.—Specimens from one mile northeast of Anchorage show little tendency toward C. r. orca from the Prince William Sound area (see Orr, 1945:73). One specimen from this locality is slightly darker than the others.

Red-backed mice were numerous in most localities where Alcorn trapped. A number of specimens were taken adjacent to and within abandoned road camps, where second growth vegetation was rank. As in the case of C. gapperi, he found C. rutilus in varied habitats.

[Pg 104]

Remarks.—These red-backed mice were taken in various habitats: grassy areas in aspen and poplar forest, heavy spruce forest with no undergrowth excepting lichens and moss, thick underbrush in river flood plain, and at the site of an old sawmill. The northwestern distribution of this species along the Alaska Highway as found by Alcorn is approximately the same as that found by Rand (1944:44).

Remarks.—One muskrat was shot in an old beaver pond on the north side of the Salcha River. A skull from a carcass, that had been left by a trapper the previous winter, was obtained at Deadman Lake.

Remarks.—A subadult taken only a few miles from the Alaskan border in Yukon Territory constitutes an extension of the known range of this species to the northwest. The mouse is evidently rare or irregular in its distribution since Alcorn did considerable trapping in the area from which only one was taken.

[Pg 105]

The Pennsylvania meadow mouse is an abundant mammal along the Alaska Highway. Alcorn obtained specimens at most of his trapping stations, frequently in company with Microtus oeconomus at the more northern localities. A preferred habitat was grassy areas and willow clumps along streams or at the edges of lakes. The best catches were made along well-used runways, especially where there were piles of cut grass. These runways were used also by Clethrionomys and other small animals. Specimens of M. pennsylvanicus were frequently taken in the daytime; one was taken on June 29 as it was swimming at the edge of a small lake near the junction of the Liard River and Irons Creek in British Columbia.

Lacking sufficient comparative material in the past, most workers have considered that M. pennsylvanicus ranges without appreciable geographic variation throughout most of northwestern Canada and Alaska, where it has been referred to the subspecies, M. p. drummondii. Dale (1940), in studying collections made in British Columbia and southeastern Alaska, found evidence of geographic variation and recognized two new subspecies; thus he not only pointed out geographically variable characters but reduced the size of the range ascribed to M. p. drummondii. A later work by Rand (1943) considered the northwestern populations of M. pennsylvanicus as being too variable to show distinctive groupings. The large collection made by Alcorn offers evidence that other separable subspecies with constant characters are present. Study of this material indicates the presence of two unnamed subspecies, which are named and described as follows:

Remarks.—Microtus p. alcorni is a well-defined subspecies differing markedly from adjacent subspecies by a larger and heavier skull and broader, more rounded and heavier zygomatic arches. Characters examined in the specimens available are constant. Specimens from Haines are slightly darker than those from Kluane. An adult (No. 21534, UKMNH) from Northway has slightly more inflated auditory bullae than those from Kluane. An adult from Tyonek (No. 986, UKMNH) has richer brown upper parts. Measurements of this specimen resemble closely those of animals from Kluane, although the rostrum is noticably heavier.

Several adults were available from many of the localities of occurrence of M. p. alcorni. At the locality 9 miles west and 4 miles north of Haines, there were four which were considered to be old adults. These four had larger measurements than others considered to be fully adult. In addition, the skulls were larger and more rugged. There were occasionally old adults in other series. For the sake of uniformity, I have not considered these aforementioned old adults in the comparative studies of younger adults. This subspecies is named in honor of J(oseph). R(aymond). Alcorn, the collector.

[Pg 107]

Remarks.—For the most part the material available of this subspecies consisted of subadults; however, comparison of adults with those of adjacent subspecies indicates that this subspecies can be distinguished by color of the upper parts, cranial measurements, and size of the zygomatic arches and the auditory bullae. Specimens from 14 miles east and 25 miles north of Fairbanks are especially dark. One subadult (No. 21467, UKMNH) has blackish hair on the feet and a blackish unicolored tail. No. 241696, USBS, an old adult female, from Ketchumstock, is larger.

The specimens referred to this subspecies, vary some in color, but vary less in cranial characters. Additional adults are needed from western Alaska to determine how far this subspecies extends down the valley of the Yukon River. Bailey (1900:24) lists one specimen from Nulato, as drummondii; I have not seen it but on geographic grounds tentatively assign it to M. p. tananaensis.

Remarks.—Adults among the specimens listed above vary but little; one female from Assineau River in Alberta is notably more reddish than others taken elsewhere.

Average and extreme measurements of nine adults of both sexes of M. p. drummondii from E side Minaker River, 1 mi. W Trutch, British Columbia, are as follows: Total length, 157 (148-165); length of tail, 42 (37-46); condylobasal length, 25.1 (24.7-26.0); basal length, 24.2 (23.4-25.0); length of nasals, 6.8 (6.4-7.2); zygomatic breadth, 14.4 (13.9-14.7); breadth across auditory bullae, 12.4 (12.0-12.7); alveolar length of upper molariform tooth-row, 6.1 (6.0-6.2); Nine adults of both sexes from McIntyre Creek, 2250 ft., 3 miles northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, have the following measurements: 153 (147-168); 40 (33-47); 24.9 (24.2-25.5); 24.0 (23.6-24.6); 6.6 (6.2-7.2); 14.4 (13.9-15.1); 12.1 (11.7-12.5); 6.1 (6.0-6.2).

Remarks.—The single adult male, obtained by Alcorn, has been compared by Dr. Henry W. Setzer with specimens of Microtus muriei Nelson, M. miurus miurus Osgood, and M. m. oreas Osgood [Pg 109] in the United States National Museum. He reports that the specimen is related most closely to M. miurus but exhibits characters by which it is, at least, subspecifically distinct from these two forms of this species. Three specimens of M. andersoni Rand and one of M. cantator Anderson, borrowed from the National Museum of Canada are less mature than the specimen in question. Even so, the male from Fish Creek is less gray than M. andersoni and as seen from measurements of the type, an adult male (Rand, 1945:42), is larger with longer tail and has a shorter and narrower skull and is judged to be taxonomically separable. M. cantator was named from two specimens; both the paratype (seen by me) and seemingly the type are too young to show clearly subspecific characters. Alcorn's specimen is tentatively referred to M. cantator until some adult topotypes can be obtained. Measurements of the male, No. 21539, from Fish Creek, are: Total length, 152; length of tail, 30; hind foot, 22; condylobasal length, 28.0; basal length, 26.6; length of nasals, 7.1; zygomatic breadth, 13.8; breadth across auditory bullae, 11.5; least interorbital breadth, 3.3; alveolar length of upper molariform tooth-row, 6.2.

Alcorn took this specimen in an area above timberline where a low growth of willow was the dominant vegetation. Traps were set where he had seen a mouse go into a small burrow. The next morning, August 18, 1947, he found this specimen and two Microtus oeconomus macfarlani in his traps.

Microtines of the subgenus Stenocranius from continental areas of Alaska and Northwestern Canada are represented in collections by a few specimens from widely separated localities. Lacking material from intermediate localities, describers have given specific recognition to several of these isolated populations. Future collecting will be necessary to disclose whether the North American mice of this subgenus belong to one or to more than one species and may disclose whether or not there has been more than one invasion of the North American continent by members of this Asiatic group.

Remarks.—Specimens from 1½ miles south and 3 miles east of Dalton Post and from Dezadeash Lake in Yukon Territory and from Stonehouse Creek in British Columbia are referred to M. l. vellerosus although in color of upper parts they show close relationship with M. l. littoralis. These specimens are less gray and more brown than specimens more typical of M. l. vellerosus from the Liard River area.

Alcorn found the long-tailed meadow mouse in widely separated areas. Most specimens were obtained in grassy situations near water or on moist ground. The single male from Summit Pass in British Columbia was taken above timberline.

Remarks.—In comparison with the series of M. l. vellerosus from the Liard River area, the long-tailed meadow mice from near Haines are more reddish brown, have a longer tail, and have a smaller skull with smaller auditory bullae. This subspecies is restricted to the coastal area, and as noted under the account of M. l. vellerosus, intergradation between these two forms occurs a relatively short distance inland.

Remarks.—Alcorn found the tundra mouse in many of the localities at which he trapped in east-central Alaska. Specimens were taken above timberline, along roads, in grassy areas which had been cleared of timber, and in low vegetation bordering streams. On August 17 at Fish Creek, 5 miles north and 1 mile east of Paxson, Alaska, Alcorn obtained one of these mice in a tree in the daytime. Immature specimens taken at Stonehouse Creek are, to my knowledge, the first records for this species in British Columbia.

Remarks.—Alcorn took house mice in and near areas inhabited by man. One mouse was taken near Whitehorse on July 10 under a building which had not been occupied for one year. Another was taken at the Whitehorse city dump. Near Kinuso, one specimen was obtained at the site of an old sawmill.

Remarks.—The jumping mice listed above have been compared with specimens of Z. h. hudsonius from Ontario and Michigan. The zone of contact between Z. h. hudsonius and Z. h. alascensis is still unknown; Alcorn obtained no specimens between Irons Creek and Whitehorse. To my knowledge there are no records from this extensive area.

Alcorn took Zapus in grassy areas at the edge of water, in an old gravel pit, and at the site of an old sawmill. Animals were taken as early as June 30 and as late as September 2.

[Pg 112]

Remarks.—Specimens taken by Alcorn were compared with representatives of both Z. princeps (Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon) and Z. hudsonius (Ontario, Michigan, Kansas, Wyoming). All have been referred to Z. hudsonius although one female from Stonehouse Creek shows some tendency toward Z. princeps in external measurements, length of upper molariform tooth-row, and length of incisive foramina.

Remarks.—Alcorn found little evidence of porcupines along the highway. The female from the Teslin River was found under a building. The female from Yerrick Creek was in dense underbrush in a spruce forest and weighed 20 pounds.

Remarks.—Alcorn reported wolf sign at many of his camps along the highway. Skulls were obtained from trappers.

Remarks.—Specimens obtained are skulls only, mostly taken in the winter months by trappers. One fox was found dead with porcupine quills stuck in and around its mouth.

Remarks.—One large, unsexed skull from Buckinghorse River with part of the rostrum gone has the frontal shield strongly dished. A young adult female taken 10 miles west of Fort Nelson on August 23, 1948, has the following external measurements: Total length, 1345; tail, 65; hind foot, 256; ear from notch, 135.

[Pg 114]

Remarks.—Of three specimens obtained at the Unahini River, two males resemble each other closely, while the third, an old adult represented by an unsexed skull with broken cranium, is markedly different, the skull being noticeably shorter with shorter rostrum and lower jaw and other distinctive features. It closely resembles the skull of an adult male taken at the Aishihik River. Furthermore, the first two animals show close relationships with an unsexed skull which Alcorn obtained at the Buckinghorse River in British Columbia.

Two males taken at the Unahini River in the Yukon Territory have the following external measurements: Total length, 1933, 1812; tail, 150, 96; hind foot, 262, 260; ear from notch, 129, 131. Other specimens, skulls only, obtained from native hunters, are partly broken. Alcorn writes that the local hunters always shoot a grizzly in the head to be certain that it is dead.

Remarks.—One ermine was caught in a rat trap; the others were taken within 50 yards of the trapped animal by attracting them with squeaking calls to within shooting range. One of the weasels approached to within ten feet of Alcorn, while he was making the mentioned call.

[Pg 115]

Remarks.—While studying moose at Medicine Lake, near Circle Hot Springs, Alaska, on August 9, 1947, Alcorn observed some mink concerning which he records the following: "After waiting about an hour a large mink was seen traveling northward on land at the edge of the lake. It continued and went out of sight. I waited about two minutes and then started a series of loud squeaks. To our surprise we soon saw what we judged was the same mink. In company with this mink were five others.... These mink were much interested in the squeaking noise and some came within 10 feet of me. They stayed on land most of the time but some of them made short swims a few feet out into the lake. One had a white chin, another had a white spot on its chest. This group may have been an adult female with her young."

[Pg 116]

Remarks.—Two skulls of male goats were obtained from a trapper, Johnny Pie, who shot them on July 4, 1948. Field notes indicate that both mountain goats and mountain sheep are frequently taken by natives in the Liard River area.

Remarks.—The specimen has the following external measurements: Total length, 1474; tail, 84; length of hind foot, 400; ear from notch, 91. The individual is a male, seven years old, as judged by the rings of growth on the horns. The skull is accompanied by a skin now tanned for study purposes.

[Pg 117]

Transmitted April 9, 1951.

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