WOOD MOUSE 77 



WOOD OR LONG-TAILED FIELD MOUSE. 



MUS SYLVATICUS L. 



This timid but destructive creature is very common 

 throughout most parts of the district, ranging from sea-level 

 to a considerable elevation, and inhabiting woods, fields, and 

 natural pastures alike. Though thus widely distributed, 

 there can be no doubt it occurs in greatest numbers in the 

 plains and warmer parts of the valleys, and practically avoids 

 the damp upland tracts in which the Field Vole seems to 

 delight. In the immediate neighbourhood of Edinburgh, 

 where it is very abundant, I have recently trapped numbers 

 among the furze bushes on the Braid and Blackford hills, among 

 rough grass by the Braid burn, in the woods at Dreghorn, 

 and at the foot of the Pentlands near Swanston ; and have 

 otherwise captured or identified it near Balerno, near Currie, 

 at the head of Bonaly glen in the Pentlands, and in the woods 

 at Eosslyn, Glencorse, Penicuik, etc. Many specimens have 

 also been obtained for me in the garden and grounds at 

 Colinton House, and in the woods and cottage gardens in 

 Dalmeny Park. In East Lothian, where it is also abundant, 

 I have trapped it on Luffness Links near Aberlady, and in the 

 woods at Gosford ; while in Fife I caught one at Otterston last 

 August, and have lately detected it in the woods at Broomhall 

 near Dunfermline, and in the neighbourhood of St Andrews. 

 In Peeblesshire I have observed it at Macbiehill and at Eshiels- 

 hope ; and Mr J. Thomson tells me it is common at Stobo. 



I have thrice had examples handed to me which were 

 captured in dwelling-houses during winter, and have often 

 seen its nests turned up by the plough. Having trapped 

 them commonly in January and February during frost and 

 snow, I conclude it does not hibernate in the true sense 



