170 Tlie Mammalia of Essex ; a Contrihutioji towards a 



I never knew the weather so cold that I could not find a 

 squirrel on the move, if it were properly looked for. 



EODENTIA. MyoXID.E. 



Myoxus ayellanarius. Dormouse. — The Dormouse occurs 

 in those parts of Essex where oaks and nuts flourish, and 

 where there is sufficient woodland or overgrown hedges to 

 protect it. It was formerly very common on the roadside 

 at Berechurch, but after the severe winter of 1860 the 

 numbers were greatly diminished. I found many nests in 

 the bushes with dead occupants. This creature is one of 

 the best examples of a hybernating quadruped in this country, 

 and as a rule I think the winter sleep is taken underground, 

 the bush nest not being used for that purpose ; at all events 

 in many instances I find them deserted. If the mouse is 

 disturbed in its bush nest, it is extraordinarily quick in its 

 movements amongst the boughs, making a great contrast to 

 the apparently stupid sluggish creature one usually sees in 

 confinement. The food of Dormice is very similar to that of 

 squirrels, but I have occasionally taken them devouring the 

 '* sugar " I had placed on tree trunks for the purpose of 

 attracting moths at night. 



EODENTIA. MuRm.E. 



Mus MiNUTus. Harvest Mouse. — This very beautiful and 

 active little creature occurs in all parts of Essex, in the 

 winter time being found in corn-stacks, especially those 

 placed in the fields, and I think most fi-equently in oat-ricks. 

 I never discovered more than a dozen in one rick, although 

 others have informed me that they have been found abun- 

 dantly in such situations. As a pet it is very interesting, 

 and rarely quiet day or night. They are very peaceable all 

 through the winter, and any number may be kept together, 

 but in the spring fighting goes on until all, or nearly aU, the 

 males are destroyed and eaten, for they are dreadful cannibals. 

 But on the whole I can strongly recommend them as pets; 

 they are sweet, not at all mousy in odour, and very amusing 

 in their ways. The longest time I have had them in con- 



