560 THE HAMSTER. 
calculated for such extension, for the materials are so interwoven that the entire structure 
can be greatly expanded from the interior without losing its spherical shape. Such, at 
all events, was the case in my own specimen, and is probably so in all. 
Very little is known of the habits,of the Harvest Mouse in a wild state, except that it 
is destructive to corn whether stored in ricks or barns. It is also carnivorous, or rather 
insectivorous, to no small degree, [as was proved by Mr. Bingley, who kept one of these 
little creatures, and was accustomed to feed it with various insects. This propensity was 
discovered by mere accident, the Mouse springing with wonderful activity at a blue-bottle 
fly that happened to buzz against the wires of her cage. Taking the hint, Mr. Bingley 
caught the fly, and holding it against the wires, was pleased to see the little quadruped 
dart nimbly out of her hiding-place and take it from his fingers. She always preferred 
insects to vegetable food. The same observer noticed that the tail of this animal is 
prehensile. ‘ 
Independently of its small size, the Harvest Mouse may be distinguished from a young 
ordinary Mouse by its short ears, narrow head, slender body, and less projecting eyes. 
Tue bold and elegant markings with which the fur of the BARBARY Mouss is decorated, 
render it a very conspicuous animal, and when the creature is in captivity, always 
attract the attention of visitors who happen to pass before its cage. 
The dimensions of this animal 
are greater than those of the com- 
mon Mouse, while they are smaller 
than those of the ordinary rat. 
Its colour is very pleasing, the 
ground tint of the fur being a rich 
brown, and the stripes of a whitish- 
yellow, verging by degrees into the 
white hue of the under portions of 
the body. These pretty creatures 
are tolerably hardy, and can en- 
dure an English climate as well 
as most animals which have been 
brought from a hot and arid to a 
cold and moist country. They run 
about their cage with considerable 
liveliness, sometimes diving among 
their bedding, and ever and anon 
poking their intelligent-looking 
fe 7S 
V po x z = . 
Wi coe y/ rhe UZ Fm, little heads from among the hay, 
BARBARY MOUSE.—Golunda Barbara. and tripping about as if pleased 
to exhibit their beautiful fur. As 
may be supposed from its title, 
the animal is a native of Barbary. 
It is not devoid of the carnivorous habits of its race, and even when bountifully 
supplied with food, has been known to develop its carnivorous nature into cannibalism, 
eating the body of one of its companions that had died while in the cage. 
THE short, sturdy, stupid rodent which is so famous under the name of the HAMSTER 
is widely spread over many parts of Northern Europe, where it is an absolute pest to the 
agriculturists, who wage unceasing war against so destructive an animal. Before pro- 
ceeding to the habits and character of the Hamster, a short description of its external 
appearance will be necessary. 
The colour of its fur is a greyish-fawn on the back, deepening into black on the under 
portions of the body, and softening into a yellow hue upon the head and face. The 
otherwise uniform tinting of the fur is relieved by some patches of whitish-yellow upon 
the cheeks, shoulders, and sides. The creature is furnished with two large cheek-pouches, 
which are capable of containing a considerable amount of food, and which can be inflated 
