Mr. Montagu's Observations, $c. 2~ij 



discovery of it by Mr. White : and we. have since those juvenile 

 days found it in other parts of the same county, in Gloucester- 

 shire contiguous, and in the south of Devonshire. 



Mr. White has very justly described its nest to be without any 

 opening ; but this is not peculiar to that of the Harvest-mouse, 

 for we have observed most of the species of this genus close up 

 the opening every time they leave their young. We have more 

 than once found the nest of this mouse containing young; in one 

 of which were five, sufficiently grown and covered Avith hair to 

 distinguish them: this was placed above two feet from the ground 

 among the branches of a dock, close to a hedge, early in the month 

 of September. It must however be remarked, that the Wood- 

 mouse of Shaw's Zoology sometimes makes its nest at a very con- 

 siderable distance from the ground, having found it in the top 

 branches of furze at least five feet high, and not uncommonly in 

 woods : these are also destitute of any opening, even after they 

 are deserted. 



The Harvest-mouse appears to be a tender animal ; as our at- 

 tempts to keep it alive in confinement have hitherto been un- 

 successful. Like other field-mice, it burrows in the ground, 

 where it retires during the colder months; but we have seen some 

 hundreds taken out of oat-ricks (their favourite abode), without 

 any signs of torpidity at that season : in such a situation they 

 appear to breed the greater part of the year. 



Doctor Shaw has very justly remarked, in his description of the 

 Minute-mouse, that it seems so nearly allied to this species as 

 scarce to admit a specific distinction : indeed, if we consider the 

 superior length of the fur in that mouse, a circumstance incident 

 to a Siberian climate, as the only apparent distinction, there can 

 be no reason why the synonyms of these mice should not \w 

 brought together. 



2n2 Water 



