THE PANTRY MOUSE 43 



self suffered decidedly from their work in a 

 summer bungalow while it was unoccupied 

 during the winter, finding beautiful nests 

 among the bed-clothing, made from his blan- 

 kets. 



Apart from their mischief and dirt, mice are 

 pretty little creatures and make interesting 

 pets for the little folks. Caught young they 

 are easily kept alive and comfortable in a 

 roomy cage and exhibit many interesting ways. 

 Boiled oats are a favorite food, and they like 

 to nibble at grain and at pieces of bone with 

 shreds of meat left on them; they also catch 

 flies and other insects. Mr. Cram is of the 

 opinion that, in cold weather at least, most of 

 the house-mice live almost wholly upon insects, 

 as flies, spiders, wasps and the like, that have 

 packed themselves away snugly for the winter 

 in secret crannies between the boards, some- 

 times hundreds of them closely huddled to- 

 gether. 



Musical mice. One of the most curious and 

 remarkable facts in the history of the house- 

 mouse is its so-called singing. Many instances 

 are on record, of which the following related in 



