519 



THE MICE. 



Last, and among the least, so far as their physical 

 development is concerned, we have the Mice, which 

 in species, number nine, and this number will likely 

 be ausinented when more cart'fiil investigations art- 

 made. While these mammals, so far as size is con 

 cerned, are insignificant to look upon, they, or al 

 least, certain species — notably those termed Meadow 

 and Field Mice — are of jjrcat economic importance. In 

 districts where these little rodents abound they do 

 ^itiit (lantaye and causf ihcusamis and thousands 

 of dollars loss annually in the agricultural com 

 munities. When the farmer is at rest in the night 

 time these spi-ightly. sleek-coated little robbers be 

 come most active and prey upon the results of the 

 liusbandman's care and labor. 



The common House Mouse, an exotic, is omnivorous; 

 it has been kno^n to kill cage birds and young chick- 

 ens. The White-footed Mouse likes honey and he also, 

 it is said, lias been known to attack chickens but a few 

 days old. Dr. P. Hart Merriani, wiiting of the W^hite- 

 foot Mouse. .«ays: 



■■it is f..na ,,C iU-sh. ur.l, lik.- tlu- Klviiii; SquiiiLl, eagerly de- 

 vours dead birds plaood In its way. indeed, tliis is done so 

 naturally, that the suspicion arises as to whether it does not 

 .sometimes capture and prey upon the smaller birds r,n their 

 roosts at night." 



MICE, HAWKS -VXD OWLS. 



The thoughtful person says: Why is it that these 

 nimble four-footed pests which inhabit the meadow 

 and grass fields have increased so rapidly within the 

 last few years? The ans^\er is: In the first place 

 they are har<iy and exceedingly jirolitic; then popular 



