WILD LIFE OF ORCHARD AND FIELD 



young ones hanging to her body. Once when we 

 went to open our summer cabin, in the woods, in 

 May, we found a family of white-footed mice en- 

 sconced between the folds of some blankets, whence 

 a great quantity of wool had been plucked to form 

 a nest. We took a double handful of this wool, 

 containing four gray mouslings, and placed it in 

 an empty water - pail on the porch. The mother 

 watched us, followed after, and then climbed into 

 the bucket and carried off her darlings to a new 

 hiding-place, regardless of our presence. 



A gentleman in Illinois once saw a garter-snake 

 pass rapidly by with a young meadow-mouse in 

 its mouth. Presently an old meadow-mouse came 

 out of the tall grass in pursuit of the snake, which 

 she finally overtook and instantly attacked. The 

 snake stopped, disgorged its prey, and defended 

 itself by striking at its assailant, which stood its 

 ground so firmly that the man was able to approach 

 to kill both before his presence was noticed by the 

 duellists. 



This white-footed mouse constantly comes into 

 houses near woods, yet it does not seem anywhere 

 to become domesticated, like the house-mouse, but 

 only to be a casual guest from time to time. Tho- 

 reau tells pleasantly how he had such visitors 



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