186 BULLETIN NO VII. 
song was poured forth while at play, that is, while in actual 
activity ; and, take the wheel-play, for instance, when really 
in quite violent exercise. A thing, too, which much surprised 
me, was, that often when eating she sang and ate at the same- 
time, literally in the same breath. This singular habit, so 
suggestive of a great physiological difficulty, led to an in- 
cident, which caused considerable merriment for those who 
witnessed it. I had been examining some insect larve ona 
twig of black alder. Without any real motive, a bit of the 
twig, about an inch long, and an eighth of an inch thick, was 
offered Hespie. She was delighted, and at once began in her 
usual pretty way, sitting up, to eat the bark, although it is very 
bitter. Thus she sat ‘“‘bolt upright;” and the manner in which 
she held this little black stick in both her hands up to her mouth, 
at the precise angle at whith a fife is held, although nibbling 
away, yet singing at the same time, it looked so like a little 
fifer playing on an ebony fife that laughter was irresistible at 
the comical sight.” 
‘‘Wishing to see how this Hesperomys would behave in com- 
pany, I put into her cage a young domestic mouse about one- 
third grown. She was asleep in her little box. When she 
awoke it was a pretty sight. What animation! How the black 
eyes started and sparkled! Tome they seemed to snap with 
fire. The whole frame was in a quiver—first of astonishment, 
then with rage. It was not a run—but a jump which she made 
at the little involuntary intruder, who received a nip that made 
it squeal in terror. We removed the little captive, who was so 
astonished that it was quite content to lie inour hand. Its ter- 
ror had won our pity, and we restored to it its liberty.” * * * 
‘‘And now we ask are these phenomena that have been herein 
described the result of an abnormal condition of things or not? 
How much truth is there in the theory of some that the singing 
of these mice is the result of disease, or of some bronchial dis- 
turbance? In my opinion the following reasons disprove the 
truth of any such theory: 
1. The exquisite animal enjoyment and actual physical con- 
dition, for it is fatand perfect in pelage and form, indicating high 
health. Every form of bronchial disease is, in its most ordi- 
nary effect, depressing to the animal spirits. 
2. When engaged in song, the exercise reaches to the very 
depth of the chest, as is so often seen in the lowing of kine, 
where the muscles may be observed in action for the whole 
length of the abdomen. Persons afflicted bronchially avoid 
deep vocal exercise. 
