FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



long, soft, and lax, rough in appearance; transition between 

 color of upper and lower parts gradual; may be active at any 

 hour of day or night. 



Color. — Sexes colored alike; seasonal variation usually not 

 very marked. 



Upperparts (summer) chestnut-brown varying with the 

 individual to yellowish chestnut, sprinkled with black along 



Fig. 88. Meadow Mouse 



back; feet brownish; tail above dusky, below slightly paler; 

 underparts gray, with dusky tinge or washed with cinnamon. 



Winter pelage grayer than summer. 



Immature darker than adults, nearly black. 



Measurements. — Sexes of equal size. Total length, 7 

 inches; tail vertebrae, 1.8 inches; hind foot, .85 inch. 



Geographical Distribution. — Practically all of habitable 

 North America. 



Food. — Vegetation: grass, foliage, twigs, roots, seeds, bark. 

 Many species of plants, shrubs, and trees are included in this 

 diet and Meadow Mice may become very destructive to field 

 crops and orchards; meat is eaten when occasion affords. 



Enemies. — Preyed upon by practically every predatory 

 creature: Snakes, Hawks, Owls, Crows, Ravens, Weasels, 

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