MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 187 



3. The singing is so often performed under those precise 

 circumstances in which bronchially diseased persons are sure 

 to keep still, if possible. For instance, take the Wheel Song. 

 Here, although the exercise was violent, yet the song would be 

 sustained with no diminution of vocal strength; and quite fre- 

 quently was it the case, that when the animal stopped turning 

 the wheel, though it continued the song, the momentum would 

 throw it on its back, when as if in surprise, it would roll off 

 four or five notes on a higher octave, and in a greatly increased 

 loudness of voice. 



4. Our vesper mouse delights in a role, the performance of 

 which argues three facts: A high organization of the organs 

 of the voice; delicate and skillful adjustment during use; a per- 

 fect condition as respects health. She can sing and eat at the 

 same time. * * * Now this fact, in the case of our Hesper- 

 omys, that it could eat and sing at the same time, even admit- 

 ting, what is probably true, that there are intervals of very 

 short duration (so short as to be almost indiscernible) when the 

 epiglottis closes to allow the food to pass down the gullet, 

 demonstrates, as we think, that the organization of those parts 

 was very delicate, and that the whole organism was in the very 

 highest condition of health." 



Although the particular mouse, above so pleasantly described, 

 came from Florida, it is certain that the musical powers are not 

 confined to any section, for several different species of various 

 genera have afforded examples of more or less highly developed 

 musical powers, as witness the following note quoted from the 

 American Naturalist of 1871, p 171 : 



"A communication in the Naturalist some time ago in regard 

 to musical mice, prepared me for a phenomenon which recently 

 came under my observation, which otherwise would have aston- 

 ished me beyond conception. I was sitting a few evenings 

 since, not far from a half -open closet door, when I was startled 

 by a sound issuing from the closet, of such marvelous beauty 

 that I at once asked my wife how Bobbie Burns (our canary) 

 had found his way into the closet, and what could start him to 

 singing such a queer and sweet song in the dark? I procured 

 a light, and found it to be a mouse ! He had filled an overshoe 

 from a basket of popcorn which had been popped and placed in 

 the closet in the morning. Whether this rare collection of food 

 inspired him with song I know not, but I had not the heart to 

 disturb his corn, hoping to hear from him again. Last night 

 his song was renewed. I approached him with a subdued light 



