MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 187 
3. The singing is so often performed under those precise 
circumstances in which bronchially diseased persons are sure 
to keep still, if possible. For instance, take the Wheel Song. 
Here, although the exercise was violent, yet the song would be 
sustained with no diminution of vocal strength; and quite fre- 
quently was it the case, that when the animal stopped turning 
the wheel, though it continued the song, the momentum would 
throw it on its back, when as if in surprise, it would roll off 
four or five notes on a higher octave, and in a greatly increased 
loudness of voice. 
4. Our vesper mouse delights in a role, the performance of 
which argues three facts: A high organization of the organs 
of the voice; delicate and skillful adjustment during use; a per- 
fect condition as respects health. She can sing and eat at the 
same time. * * * Now this fact, in the case of our Hesper- 
omys, that it could eat and sing at the same time, even admit- 
ting, what is probably true, that there are intervals of very 
short duration (so short as to be almostindiscernible) when the 
epiglottis closes to allow the food to pass down the gullet, 
demonstrates, as we think, that the organization of those parts 
was very delicate, and that the whole organism was in the very 
highest condition of health.” 
Although the particular mouse, above so pleasantly described, 
came from Florida, it is certain that the musical powers are not 
confined to any section, for several different species of various 
genera have afforded examples of more or less highly developed 
musical powers, as witness the following note quoted from the 
American Naturalist of 1871, p 171: 
‘‘A communication in the Naturalist some time ago in regard 
to musical mice, prepared me for a phenomenon which recently 
came under my observation, which otherwise would have aston- 
ished me beyond conception. I was sitting a few evenings 
since, not far from a half-open closet door, when I was startled 
by a sound issuing from the closet, of such marvelous beauty 
that I at once asked my wife how Bobbie Burns (our canary) 
had found his way into the closet, and what could start him to 
singing such a queer and sweet song in the dark? I procured 
a light, and found it tobe a mouse! He had filled an overshoe 
from abasket of popcorn which had been popped and placed in 
the closet inthe morning. Whether this rare collection of food 
inspired him with song I know not, but I had not the heart to 
disturb his corn, hoping to hear from him again. Last night 
his song was renewed. Iapproached him with a subdued light 
