58 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 



a rule, does so. It probably takes a prolonged sleep ; but, 

 be the weather ever so cold, I have always found a Squirrel 

 on the move, when it is properly looked for. 



Family MYOXID^. 



Genus MYOXUS, Schreber. 



Myoxus avellanarius, Linn. DORMOUSE. 



The Dormouse occurs in those parts of Essex where the 

 oak and hazel abound, and where there is sufficient woodland 

 or overgrown hedgerow to protect it. It was formerly very 

 common on the roadside at Berechurch ; but, after the severe 

 winter of 1860, the numbers were greatly diminished. During 

 that winter, I found many nests in the bushes containing dead 

 occupants. 



South of the river Stour (that is, on the Essex side), 

 Dormice are everywhere to be found on the higher ground 

 above the meadows ; but, on the north or Suffolk side, they 

 appear to be unknown from Shotley until Long Melford is 

 reached, where again they are not rare. 



Mr. Rope gives (Zool., 1885, p. 201) the range of this 

 species in Britain. Its distribution seems as unaccountable as 

 that of the nightingale. 



This creature is one of the best examples of a hybernating 

 quadruped in the country. As a rule, I think the winter sleep 

 is taken underground, the bush nest not being used for that 

 purpose. This may frequently be found deserted. If the 

 mouse is disturbed in its bush nest, it is extraordinarily quick 

 in its movements among the twigs, thus forming a strong 

 contrast to the apparently sluggish creature usually seen in 

 confinement. Its food is very similar to that of the Squirrel, 

 but I have occasionally taken them licking up the " sugar " I 

 had placed on tree trunks for the purpose of attracting moths 

 at night. 



