THE WHITE -FOOTED MOUSE 



cotton-batting and a soft wool manufactured 

 by the mice from my old clothes. 



The nests remote from the cabin are made 

 of bits of dried leaves, grasses, and plant- 

 down. These last are usually placed in a 

 tangle of catbrier. Many of these nests are 

 occupied through the winter. I examined one 

 last week. It was about five inches in diameter, 

 and was composed of bits of leaves and milk- 

 weed silk. It was rain and frost proof. 



I sometimes find nests in tin cans. Once 

 I found a nest in a paper bag. The paper 

 bag was in a tangle of catbrier. It was 

 nearly three feet from the ground, and doubt- 

 less was lodged where found by the wind. 



The mother-mouse is devoted to the welfare 

 of her little family, which may number any- 

 where from four to ten. When the young 

 mice are small they are raw-looking things, 

 but are tough, wiry, and tenacious of life. 

 At this stage, full-grown moles would destroy 

 a family in a few seconds, if it were not for 

 the watchful care of the mother. 



As the young mice grow they change their 

 133 



