118 COMMON BlUTlSll ANIMALS 



pact balls of grasa and split reeds about the size of 

 an orange. Prof. Schlegel^ of Leyden, discovered 

 tliat harvest mice build winter nests, which differ 

 in form and size from the summer ones. He des- 

 cribes those he found as being built of various mosses 

 and attached to reeds. They were six inches to a 

 foot in height, and three or four inches in diameter, 

 fusiform in shape, resembling the nests of reed 

 warblers. They had no inlet, and the animal in 

 entering had to lift the upper covering. 



The young are born naked and blind, and the 

 first coat is browny-grey in colour, resembling the 

 house mouse. The food of the harvest mouse 

 consists of grains, seeds, and young shoots, and in 

 addition some animal food and water is necessary. 

 They are extremely fond of flies, and are said to 

 devour any insects and also worms. If deprived of 

 animal food they become cannibals. 



They may be kept in captivity successfully if 

 carefully fed. " The best receptacle for four or 

 five,^^ Mr. Millais says, '^ is a bell-shaped aquarium 

 glass, uncovered. The height to which it is safe to 

 allow them to exercise can easily be determined by 

 trial.^^ 



In this glass house their playful tricks and 

 gymnastics can be easily watched, and it will be 

 noticed that, unlike any other British mammal, this 

 mouse has a partially prehensile tail. They cannot 

 hold on by the tail for any length of time nor swing 

 by it, but they use it as a back support in coming- 

 down a twig or a corn-stalk. 



