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ON THE HABITS OF THE COMMON MOUSE, 

 (MUS MUSCVLUS.) 



BY R. F. LOGANj ESQ. 



For some time past I have had a live specimen of the Common Mouse in 

 captivity, for the purpose of observing its habits; and as Common Mice are, 

 I should think, not very often kept as pets, unless it be the albino variety, it 

 may perhaps interest some of your readers to know something of the manners 

 of this agile, timid little cosmopolite. 



For a short time after its introduction to its domicile, it was restless and 

 watchful, constantly biting the wires with its teeth; and in so doing, making 

 such a noise, that had its teeth not been very hard and strong, they must 

 have been broken to pieces by such violent exercise on so hard a substance. 

 Now it sleeps away most of its time during the day, rolled up in a corner 

 like a ball, but is roused by the slightest noise; and when food is placed 

 within its reach, awakes to full activity, steals out of its corner, seizes it in 

 its mouth, and runs with it generally into the opposite corner; where it munches 

 it, holding it between its fore feet, and crouching on the hinder ones; but 

 not sitting erect, as we see Mice frequently drawn. This posture it very 

 seldom assumes; but does so occasionally when cleaning its fur, though never , 

 I believe, while feeding. It is a most cleanly little animal, and always dresses 

 its fur after a meal; licking its paws quite clean, and then raising them both 

 together over its head, and stroking down its face and ears; finishing the 

 operation by licking its fur as far as it can reach, very much after the manner 

 of its enemy the Domestic Cat. When about to lie down it generally turns 

 round once or twice in the corner, like a Cat or Dog; and laps up milk, when 

 given to it, exactly in a similar manner. One day when I thought it thirsty, 

 I offered it a drop of water on the end of my pen, which it licked oif with 

 avidity, and followed the pen when withdrawn for a fresh supply. In sleeping 

 it frequently tucks its head right under its body, so as literally to rest on 

 the crown of it; a most uncomfortable position one might suppose; but one 

 which it seems very fond of. I have never heard it squeak, or utter the 

 smallest sound since it came into my possession; which is rather remarkable. 

 As another proof of its disposition for cleanliness; I had one morning given 

 it some soft food, in eating a portion of which, it rolled it in the dirt at the 

 bottom of the cage, on discovering which, it immediately rejected it, and pushing 

 it with its snout to the furthest extremity of the cage, returned to its favourite 

 corner; which it swept perfectly clean in the same fashion, shoving everything 

 aside with its snout, and then went for a fresh supply. 



It is nearly, though not quite, omnivorous in its appetite, as there are some 

 things it will not touch. It dislikes animal food, and shows a marked preference 

 for farinaceous substances; bread being an especial favourite. A bit of ripe 

 pear, or cooked cabbage, it will not touch, though a dried fig is eaten with 

 evident relish. 



Duddingston, Dectinher \d.y 1852. ^"^ '-■"•'^ 



VOL. 111. 



