MOUSE — Mus mmcidus. 



The common INIouse, of which a white and a pied variety are also figured 

 in the engraving, is too well known to need any particular description. 



Like the rat, it frequents both town and country, doing an infinity of damage 

 in the former, but comparatively little harm in the latter. In the country it 

 attaches itself mostly to farmyards, where it gains access to the ricks, and 

 when once fiimly established, is not so easily dislodged as its larger relative 

 the rat. However, if the rick be kept under cover, the Mice cannot make 

 any lengthened stay, for the cover keeps off the rain, on which they chiefly 

 depend for drink, and they are then obliged to leave the stack in search of 

 water. If the nek be placed on staddles, it will be then safe from these 

 little pests, 



Mice are odd little animals, and full of the quaintest gamesomeness, as may 

 be seen by any one who will sit quite still and watch them as they run 

 about a room which they specially affect. They are to the full as inquisitive 

 as cats, and will examine any new piece of furniture with great curiosity. 



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