THE COMMON DORMOUSE. 



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13. — Common Dormouse. 



the shrubs of a thicket. These nests are made of leaves, 

 grass, &c. : they are of a rounded form, about six inches 

 in diameter, with the aperture at the top. It is in these 

 that the young are brought forth and reared. The 

 number of the young is about four : they are born blind : 

 in a few days, however, their eyes are opened ; and in a 

 short period they are capable of providing for themselves. 

 Corn, haws, hazel-nuts, and fallen acorns constitute the 

 food of the dormouse. It eats sitting up like a squirrel, 

 holding the food between its paws; and often it hangs 

 suspended by its hinder feet, in which position it feeds 

 as easily as in its ordinary attitude. 



Mr. Bell states that the mme Avellanarms is not well 



