266 THE HARVEST MOUSE. 



/ 



immediately below the surface of the ground, in a 

 place nicely prepared for the purpose. 



In Wales thi species of Mouse is called Uygoden 

 ganolig, llygoden y macs: in France, mulot, grand 

 rat des champs, ratte a la grand queue, rat saute- 

 relle : in Denmark, voed. 



THE HARVEST MOUSE*. 



Tins Mouse, which is the smallest of all the British 

 quadrupeds, seldom exceeds the sixth part of an 

 ounce in weight. It was first discovered in Hamp- 

 shire, by the late Rev. Mr. White of Selborne, 

 about the year 1767 ; and it is not hitherto known 

 to inhabit any part of the world, except some of the 

 southern counties of England. 



Like the Field Mouse, it does not enter dwelling- 

 houses ; but it is often carried in sheaves of corn, 

 out of the field, into corn ricks : and, as the fe- 

 males produce their offspring in the autumn, it 

 often happens that a hundred, or more, are found 



* Mus Messorius. Shaw. 



The Harvest Mouse was unknown to Linnaeus. For the descrip- 

 tion of it, see the Synopsis, p. 45, No. 29. 



in 



