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Homosexual activity among adult females in a heterosexual group of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) is documented and discussed. The mounter was usually in the follicular stage of the menstrual cycle and the mountee was in the ovulatory period. Activity during the luteal phase was low for all animals. Female mounting did not appear to be a preparation or substitute for heterosexual activity. Ritualized solicitation patterns among the females were intense and varied, strongly resembling those for heterosexual pairs. Dominance, partner preference, sexual stimulation, reproductive state, individual characteristics, and past experience are discussed in the framework of multiple factors influencing the homosexual relationship.

The purpose of this paper is to report the effect on breeding in Missouri cottontails of a period of abnormally high snowfall and prolonged cold in February and March of 1960. In most years, central Missouri cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) begin breeding about the end of February. Schwartz's (1942) data for 1939 and 1940 showed first conception dates about March 1, and our own data for 1958 and 1959 show a median first conception date of February 26. The uniformity of the onset of breeding in these 4 years suggests a photoperiod effect governing the onset of breeding. Lyman (1943) demonstrated that altering the duration of illumination may modify greatly both the sexual and molting cycle in the varying hare. Bissonette (1938) and Bisson

This contribution to the life history of the water shrew (Sorex palustiis navigator) is based upon a combirnation of field and laboratory studies. Published literature relating to the species is largely confined to taxonomic or distributional considerations. Only a few incidental observations concerning the habits of tnis small semi-aquatic insectivore are recorded. In the autumn of 1947 preliminary collection of specimens was begun. Subsequently it was indicated that sufficient material might be obtained to make a life history study possible. In February of 1948 a more detailed approach to the problem was started. This report is based upon material collected between September 1947 and September 1949. All specimens collected were obtained in western Montana, the majority being taken in Missoula County. This region is entirely within the range of the subspecies Sorex patuttris navigator as defined by Jackson (1928).

First conceptions of the year for 196 female cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) collected in 1962 on five study areas in Missouri occurred from late January to late March. In all areas except one, most first conceptions centered about February 12-14. The latitudinal distances between areas were as great as 125 miles. Collections made in southwestern Mississippi, nearly 600 miles south of our northernmost area, also showed that the first wave of conceptions peaked about midFebruary. Thus, a southerly location does not necessarily lead to earlier breeding by cottontails. Mean litter sizes (second litters only) were larger to the north, increasing from 3.5 (southwestern Mississippi) to 4.8 (southeastern Missouri) and 5.6 (northern Missouri). Specimens from southeastern Missouri showed that postpartum breeding was the rule. The length of the breeding season there would allow ample time for at least seven litters per female per year. Collections for the entire study in Missouri totalled 606 female cottontails.

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison of age-ratio data from cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) derived by two techniques for determination of age. Data from nine collections of matched rabbit paws and eye lenses, taken in November, December, and January of 19591961 in Missouri, enabled a comparison of the X-ray and lens-weight techniques for determining cottontails' ages. Paws for the purpose of this paper include the distal portion of the radius and ulna including the epiphyses. The phrase "matched paws and lenses" means that both were taken

From the time when first efforts were made to form a study collection for the purpose of acquainting forestry students with representative mammalian groups occurring within the state, occasional rare specimens of Indiana mammals or interesting records of common species came into our hands as a result of outside contacts. Some valuable records began to accumulate in this casual manner. Conaway has also done some collecting in southeastem Indiana with a number of records from Dearborn County. A certain amount of collecting has been done by the authors together,2 usually of local and intensive nature directed at t'ne possible discovery of species heretofore regarded as uncommon or rare. Accordingly considerably time has been spent trapping for shrews, jumping mice, and lemming mice, to name a few examples, and a number of excursions have been made for bats.