260 THE COMMON MOUSE. 



It is a mischievous little creature,, eating or 

 gnawing almost every thing that comes in its way. 

 Occasionally it is very frolicsome, squatting on its 

 tail,, and cleaning its face and fur with its paws; 

 and then suddenly leaping up and gamboling about 

 in the most pleasing antics. From the general 

 neatness of its form, and the great degree of 

 sprightliness and vivacity that is expressed in all its 

 actions, it is certainly an interesting animal. When 

 it first creeps out of its hole into a room where 

 any person happens to be sitting, the least noise or 

 motion will send it back, with precipitation, to its 

 retreat. But if it is often suffered to enter without 

 interruption, and particularly if food is placed for 

 it on the floor, it by degrees attains confidence, 

 and at length will venture to run about the room 

 apparently without fear. Still, however, its timi- 

 dity is so great, that, on the slightest recurrence of 

 the noise, it is driven to its hole for shelter and 

 security. 



I recollect, that once, after having caught a Mouse 

 in a wire trap, I set it before me on the table at 

 which I was writing, in order that I might observe 

 its motions. At first it was greatly alarmed, in its new 

 and exposed situation; but when, in the course of a 

 quarter of an hour, I presented it with a bit of 

 sugar, the animal, without much hesitation, took 

 it from my fingers, and, sitting nearly upright on 

 its hind legs, and holding the sugar in its fore-feet, 

 in a moment devoured it. I cut off part of its hair, 



and 



