HAWKS. 47 



cially platted, and composed of blades of wheat ; perfectly 

 round, and about the size of a cricket-ball; with the 

 aperture so ingeniously closed, that there was no discovering 

 to what part it belonged. It was so compact and well filled 

 that it would roll across the table without being discom- 

 posed, though it contained eight little mice that were naked 

 and blind. As- this * nest was perfectly full, how could the 

 dam come at her litter respectively, so as to administer a 

 teat to each ? Perhaps she opens different places for that 

 purpose, adjusting them again when the business is over ; 

 but she could not possibly be contained herself in the ball 

 with her young, which, moreover, would be daily increasing 

 in bulk. This wonderful procreant cradle, an elegant 

 instance of the efforts of instinct, was found in a wheat-field 

 suspended in the head of a thistle. 



ball about the size of a cricket-ball, and suspended on a plant about five 

 inches from the ground : nine y : ui)g mice have been found in one nest. 



The Rev. W. Bingley also devoted much time and attention to them ; he 

 kept one in a cage for some time, and saw it lap water freely ; it preferred 

 insects to every other kind of food : it was very fond of bread ; its appear- 

 ance and movements were very elegant ; its tail was prehensile, and generally 

 coiled round a wire of the cage ; its toes were very long and flexible, and it 

 could grasp the wires with any one of them. 



Mr. Bell, in his pleasing and instructive history of British Quadrupeds, says 

 that the Harvest Mouse is not only one of the prettiest, but, without exception, 

 the smallest of all the British mammalia ; and that its habits are at least as 

 interesting as those of many more conspicuous and important species. Although 

 not easily rendered familiar, it may be kept in confinement for a long time in 

 good health, by allowing it the optional use of a sort of little tread-wheel, in 

 which it will often exercise itself, apparently to its amusement and satisfaction, 

 and it was probably from the absence of this healthful exercise that persons 

 have failed to keep it in confinement. This mouse, Mr. Bell adds, is found in 

 various parts of England ; in Hampshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Devon- 

 shire, and Cambridgeshire. It has also been found in Germany, and in Russia 

 and Siberia. BELL'S Quadrupeds. 



See also the seventh volume of the Linnsean Transactions, in which Colonel 

 Montagu records his having seen this mouse in Wiltshire, before the discovery 

 of it in Hampshire, by Mr. White. 



In a review of Gilbert White's Selborne, in the Gentleman's Magazine for 

 1789, is the following paragraph with reference to his discovery of the Harvest 

 Mouse : 



" Many would be surprised if they were told that a new quadruped had, 

 \vithin these few years, been found in this Island, yet Mr. White's researches 

 have been rewarded with such a discovery. It is indeed the smallest four- 

 footed animal we have, but its manner of life shows it to be endowed with 

 equal sagacity with the larger kinds." The author's description of this mouse 

 is there given in his own words. ED. 



