84: FRIENDS WORTH KNOWING. 



the spring, that the mice have enjoyed good winter-quarters 

 in his straw covering, and have been gnawing to death his 

 choice roses. Millions of dollars, perhaps, would not pay 

 for all the damage these small creatures thus accomplish 

 each year in the United States, and I fear they will become 

 more and more of a plague if we continue to kill off the 

 harmless hawks, owls, butcher-birds, and snakes, which are 

 the policemen appointed by Nature to look after the mice, 

 and protect us against them. 



In captivity the wild mice, especially the white-footed 

 HesperomyS) make very pretty pets; and one can easily 

 study all their ways by giving them earth in which to bur- 

 row, and the various sorts of food in which they delight. 



