HUDSON BAY JUMPING MOUSE 123 



The Hudson Bay jumping- mouse inhabits meadows, shrubby 

 fields, and thickets bordering woodland. Often it is found in 

 damp situations along fences. It is most often seen during the 

 haying season, when it is driven from its hiding place while the 

 grass is being cut. 



The little animal is well- named, for when disturbed it moves 

 away by a series of leaps or jumps, sometimes remaining motion- 

 less for a moment between leaps. Ordinarily, the distance tra- 

 versed in one of these leaps is from six to eight feet, though if 

 occasion requires this distance <'an be increased. The animal is 

 assisted in leaping by the long tail, which aids it materially in 

 keeping its balance while in the air. 



Jumping mice do not follow beaten paths or runways as is so 

 often observed among meadow mice, but appear to wander about, 

 following, to some extent, natural paths and open places. 



Toward the latter part of the summer a rounded nest four or 

 five inches in diameter is constnicted. This nest is usually con- 

 cealed under rocks, bushes, or dried grass and has an entrance hole 

 at one side. Two individuals, probably a pair, occupy this type 

 of nest which is used only at the close of the breeding season. 



The nest in which the young are brought forth is usually under- 

 ground, but in some cases in a hollow log or stump. The young 

 are from three to six in number and are produced in ]May or 

 June. 



Hibernation apparently occurs in this latitude, beginning at 

 the time of the first heavy frosts and lasting until spring. "The 

 animals are generally found singly (sometimes in pairs) in nests 

 in holes at a depth varying from a few inches to 2 or 3 feet below 

 the surface. They lie rolled up like a ball with the feet close to- 

 gether and tail curled about them. If removed from the nest 

 and subjected to a moderate degree of heat they revive and in the 

 course of a few hours move about freely, but generally resume 

 their lethargic state if again exposed to the cold. The pulse and 

 respiration are very slow."-' Hibernation is also said to take 

 place in a nest above ground. 



The food of the jumping mouse consists, in cultivated areas, of 

 various grains as well as grass and weed seeds; when it inhabits 

 the vicinity of wooded places it feeds upon the seeds and nuts of 

 trees. Sometimes, during the summer, stores of food are laid up 



"Preble, E. A., North American Fauna, No. 15, 8, 1899. 



