MAMMALS. 67 



DORMOUSE. This pretty little creature resembles the 

 Muscardinus avellanavius. Squirrel in general appearance and 



shape, though in reality it is much 

 more nearly related to the Mice. It is very gentle and 

 retiring in its habits, and, as it rarely comes abroad by 

 day, it is generally thought to be rather scarce. This, 

 however, is not really the case, and it is to be found in 

 most copses by those who know how and where to look 

 for it. As is well known, the Dormouse sleeps through 

 the colder months of the year, and preparatory to this 

 long hibernation it makes a very thick and warm nest 

 of dry grasses in a hole in the ground, or in a tree or 

 hedge bank. In or near this it lays up a store, which 

 it eats when warmer weather causes it to wake, now and 

 then, from its winter sleep. Its food consists principally 

 of nuts and small fruits, though it is said also to eat 

 insects. It sits upon its haunches and holds the food 

 between its fore-paws, exactly like the Squirrel. The 

 young are produced in the spring, and generally number 

 three or four ; they are at first blind, but in a few days 

 open their eyes and grow so rapidly that they are soon 

 able to shift for themselves. It is rather curious that at 

 first they are of a dull grey colour, and only gradually 

 assume the bright chesnut fur of the adult. They are 

 very easily tamed, and in fact, even if taken straight 

 from the nest, exhibit scarcely any fear of man, so that 

 they are most interesting pets. The eyes are prominent 

 and large, and the head resembles a Squirrel's, except 

 that the ears are round and not tufted. The body is 

 rather stout, and the tail of moderate length and not 

 bushy. The general colour is a bright chestnut above 

 and yellowish beneath. Total length, about 5^ inches. 



