Mr. Montagu's Observations, $c. 275 
discovery of it by Mr. White : and we have since those juvenile 
days found it in other parts of the same county, in Gloucester- 
shire contiguous, and in the south of Devonshire. 
Mr. White has very justly described its nest to be without any 
opening; but this is not peculiar to that of the Harvest-mouse, 
for we have observed most of the species of this, genus close up 
the opening every time they leave their young. We have more 
than once found the nest of this mouse containing young ; in one 
of which were five, sufficiently grown and covered with hair to 
distinguish them: this was placed above two feet from the ground 
among the branches of a dock, close to a hedge, early in the month 
of September. It must however be remarked, that the Wood- 
mouse of Shaw's Zoology sometimes makes its nest at a very con- 
siderable distance from the ground, having found it in the top 
branches of furze at least five feet high, and not uncommonly in 
woods : these are also destitute of any opening, even after they 
are deserted. 
The Harvest-mouse appears to be a tender animal ; as our at- 
tempts to keep it alive in confinement have hitherto been un- 
successful. Like other field-mice, it burrows in the ground, 
where it retires during the colder months; but we have seen some 
hundreds taken out of oat-ricks (their favourite abode), without 
any signs of torpidity at that season : in such a situation they 
appear to breed the greater part of the year. 
Doctor Shaw has very justly remarked, in his description of the 
Minute-mouse, that it seems so nearly allied to this species «is 
scarce to admit a specific distinction : indeed, if we consider the 
superior length of the fur in that mouse, a circumstance incident 
to a Siberian elimate, as the only apparent distinction, there can 
be no reason why the synonyms of these mice should not be 
brought together. 
2n2 Water 
