CHAPTER III 



MICE AND VOLES 



The marshmen distinguish four " mice " and one " water- 

 rat," three of which are really voles, viz. : — 



1. House-mouse. 



2. Field-mouse. 



3. Red or " sond}' " mouse. "^ 



4. Marsh-mouse. VAll really voles. 



5. Water-rat. J 



1. The House-Mouse. 



The house-mouse is too well known to need any description. 



2. The Field-Mouse. 



The field-mouse has large eyes and ears, and is long- 

 tailed. He breeds in the fields, hedgerows, heaps of manure, 

 and you may find his young (seven or eight in number) any 

 time from April to Michaelmas. He is omnivorous, but not 

 ubiquitous, for he seldom frequents the marshes unless they 

 be cultivated. They serve as food for cats, weasels, stoats, 

 owls, and kestrels, though all of these prefer the " marsh- 

 mouse." 



They say in Norfolk, " If you see a field-mouse up in the 

 stuff, you may be sure of a wet harvest." 



