170 



THE HAMSTER. 



point warming into red, while the under parts of the abdomen are 

 white. The line of demarcation between the brown and white is well 

 defined. 



The description wliich is given of the Harvest Mouse and its wonder- 

 ful nest by the Rev. Gilbert \yhite is so well known that it need only 

 be casually mentioned. I have fortunately had opportunities of 

 verifying his observations by means of a nest which was found in a 

 field in Wiltshire by some mowers. 



Independently of its small size, the Harvest Mouse may be distin- 

 guished from a young ordinary Mouse by its short ears, narrow head, 

 slender body, and less projecting eyes. 



The short, stui'dy, stupid rodent which is so famous under the name 

 of the Hamster is widely spread over many parts of Northern Europe, 

 where it is an absolute pest to the agriculturists, who wage unceasing 

 war against so destructive an animal. Before proceeding to the habits 

 and character of the Hamster, a short description of its external 

 appearance will be necessary. 



The color of its fur is a grayish fawn on the back, deepening into 

 black on the under portions of the body, and softening into a yellow 

 hue upon the head and face. The otherwise uniform tinting of the fur 

 is relieved by some patches of whitish yellow upon the cheeks, shoul- 

 ders, and sides. The creature is furnished with two large cheek-pouches, 

 which are capable of containing a considerable amount of food, and 

 which can be inflated with air at the pleasure of the animal. The 

 length of the adult Hamster is about fifteen inches, the tail being only 

 three inches long. 



The Hamster is most destructive to the crops, whether of corn, peas, 

 or beans, and when the autumn approaches begins to plunder the fields 



in a most systematic 

 manner, for the pur- 

 pose of laying up a 

 winter store of pro- 

 visions. By dint of 

 dexterous manage- 

 ment, the animal fills 

 its cheek-pouches 

 with grain, pressing 

 it firmly with its 

 paws, so as to lose no 

 space, and then car- 

 ries ofl" its plunder to 

 its subterranean treasury, where it disgorges the contents of the 

 pouches, and returns for another supply. The husbandmen are so 

 well aware of this propensity that they search after the habitation of 



The Hamster {Qicetus frumentark 



