138 THE NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [6:5-May. mo 



The nest occupied a central chamber, which was about sev- 

 en inches from the surface and approximately three inches in 

 diameter. Into this, four runways led from various directions. 

 Two of these were blind, extending but a short distance beyond 

 the nest. In one the mother was caught. There was also a pas- 

 sage directly down from the surface to the chamber. It is pos- 

 sible that the portion occupied by the salamanders was no long- 

 er used by the mice, but the presence of the former probably in- 

 fluenced the mice in locating in that region, for Hahn, writing 

 on White-Footed mice in southwestern Indiana says, ''Two 

 were taken about an old pond shortly after a period of excep- 

 tionally heavy rainfall .when the salamander eggs had been 



deposited around the edges of the pond The stomachs of 



both White-Footed mice taken at this place contained some gel- 

 atinous matter which I could not positively identify, but which 

 resembled the coating of salamander eggs more closely than any 

 other substance likely to be found in such a place." Eighty- 

 five salamanders were taken from the banks of the pond pre- 

 vious to the capture of the mouse, and eggs and larvae in various 

 stages of development were abundant. 



The following day the mouse family was taken on a hun- 

 dred-mile journey to this laboratory, and immediately placed in 

 a glass aquarium jar. The little ones lay prostrate in the bot- 

 tom, while the mother, who had gotten wet on the trip, ran 

 ruthlessly over her babies. Presently a squeak was heard and, 

 to my astonishment, the mother was seen ravenously devouring 

 one of her babes. Whether this strange performance was due 

 to hunger, or to the changed environment, the writer is unable 

 to state; but upon the introduction of some freshly cracked 

 black walnuts, she immediately gave up her prey. Nevertheless, 

 in the presence of corn, walnuts and water, another young one 

 disappeared before night, leaving but three out of five. Animal 

 food proved to be the salvation of the remainder of the litter, for 

 the carnivorous parent showed her fondness for May-beetle lar- 

 vae, earthworms and fresh beef steak. Crackers, cheese, cake, 

 bread, milk and boiled potatoes were also taken at times, but 

 bits of fresh beef, water-soaked corn and water were preferred. 

 With the latter for diet, and a roll of cotton half buried in the 

 sand for a nest, the White-Footed mouse settled down to rear 

 her family. Occasionally she was seen running about with the 

 young ones attached to her teats. If, bv chance, one lost its 



