Meadow Mouse Mirrotus pcnnsyl-vanicus pennsyl-vanuui 



young in the nest above ground, as a general rule, it 

 has a chamber at the end of the underground burrow 

 where four litters of from six to eight young are born 

 during the year. The underground home is bedded 

 with soft materials of all kinds. It rarely nests in houses 

 or barns. 



The meadow mouse establishes a series of run- 

 ways which ramify in all directions from the entrance 

 to the burrow. The runways are kept clear of sticks 

 and other obstacles, which might impede its progress 

 in case of a hasty retreat to the burrow is made neces- 

 sary. 



The meadow mouse feeds on growing grass, al- 

 falfa, seeds, bulbs, root crops and vegetables. When 

 wheat and oats are harvested, great numbers of mead- 

 ow mice congregate under the shocks and frequently 

 do great damage. In the winter they often gnaw the 

 bark around the bases of young fruit trees and whole 



-*C 136 >*- 



