THE HARVEST MOUSE. 



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which they chiefly depend for drink, and they are then obliged to leave 

 the stack in search of water. If the rick be placed on staddles, it will 

 then be safe from these little pests. 



They are odd little animals, and full of the quaintest garaesoraeness, 

 as may be seen by any one who will only sit quite still and watch them 

 as they run about a room which they specially affect. They are to the 

 full as inquisitive as cats, and will examine any new piece of furniture 

 with great curiosity. 



The Mouse is a marvellously prolific animal, producing its young 

 several times in the course of the year, and at a very early age. The 

 nests are made in any sheltered spot, and formed from any soft sub- 

 stance, such as rags, paper, or wool, that the mother can procure. 



The Harvest Mouse {Miciomys minutu.s). 



Smallest, and perhaps the prettiest, of the British mammalia, the 

 elegant little Harvest Mouse next claims our attention. The total 

 length of this tiny creature is not quite five inches, its tail being nearly 

 two inches and a half in length. The color of its fur is a delicate 

 reddish brown, the base of each hair taking the darker tint and the 



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