THE CAPE DORMOUSE 



day. It occurred to me one day that it was strange 

 only one Dormouse at a time should show itself. 

 So, carefully lifting out the nest, I examined it, and, 

 to my astonishment, it only contained one Dormouse. 

 This little fellow had evidently eaten up all his 

 mates. Evidences of all the rest were there in the 

 shape of gnawed portions of skulls, bones, toes and 

 hair. This, truly, was a case of the survival of 

 the fittest. 



The Dormouse has many natural enemies. The 

 bird known as the '' Jack Hanger," or Fiskal Shrike, 

 already referred to, is one of its enemies, for this bird 

 will boldly attack and kill the Dormouse whenever 

 an opportunity occurs. On many occasions I have 

 happened on a larder of a pair of these Shrikes, and 

 found the dismembered remains of Dormice impaled 

 on Mimosa tree thorns, or on the barbs of wire 

 fences. It is a habit with these birds to store up 

 provender for rainy days, for at such times insects 

 are scarce. 



The various species of bush-frequenting Hawks 

 and Owls are ever on the alert to pounce upon an 

 unwary Dormouse out on the prowl at sundown for 

 food. Rats and snakes also attack and devour these 

 mice and their young. Although in the shady, quiet 

 retreats of the forests or coppices, the Dormice 

 may be seen at all times of the day, yet they are 

 usually most active after sundown. There are good 

 reasons for this. Firstly, their dreaded enemies, 

 the Bush Hawks — notably, the little Sparrow Hawk 



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