Bmm ©Ijserbations an Jritislj ^ic^. 



By H. PERCY LEONARD. 



"yT is quite possible for au expert field naturalist, whose 

 -*- studies lie in other directions, to be almost a stranger 

 to the sight of a wild mouse. The nocturnal habits of some, 

 the extreme quickness of movement in others, their retiring 

 dispositions, and their insignificant size, all combine to 

 make them imnoticed. The word mouse is said to be derived 

 from the Greek /xvaj/, to hide ; and if so, then it may truly 

 be said that they deserve the name. 



Of course the most familiar of these creatures is the com- 

 mon house-mouse {vius niusculus)^ whose activities in the 

 larder make him detested by the careful housewife, but 

 whose lively disposition and interesting habits go far towards 

 reconciling the naturalist to that isolation from nature which 

 town life necessitates. 



The house-mouse is widely spread ; it has been found in 

 China by the Amoor River, and Darwin mentions it as a 

 resident of the island of Ascension. 



This animal is too well known to need any description. 

 It is well fitted for its life behind the wainscot, for though 

 in total darkness it feels its way by means of its spreading 

 whiskers, the ears also are well supplied with nerves, and 

 are used as organs of touch. Erom long contact with 

 man, a most insidious foe, it has developed an amazing 



