140 THE NATURE-SI UDl REVIEW [6:5-May. mo 



ly seen outside the nest in the day time. In twihght, they were 

 invariably active. The mother was always out, and the young 

 ones frisking around, some endeavoring to climb up the side of 

 the jar, others running on the cover, back downward. 



In the matter of cleanliness, they far surpassed the House- 

 mouse and the Meadow-mouse, while in captivity. In washing 

 as well as in eating, these mice sat in an upright position, using 

 their hands much as a person does. 



A few remarks in regard to catching and caring for mice 

 may not be out of place. In digging, it is well to follow a bur- 

 row to the nest or central chamber, then to ferret out the run- 

 ways one by one, beginning each time at the chamber and 

 working outward. Take the mouse by the end of the tail ana 

 place it in a wide-mouthed bottle, with a tight-fitting cap of 

 wire-netting. That of one-fourth inch mesh is serviceable. 

 Such a bottle may readily be carried in one's pocket. A wire 

 cage or a glass jar six inches in diameter is adequate for rearing 

 purposes. It is advisable to place sufficient sand in the jar, so 

 that a small drinking bottle may be lowered in it to the neck. 

 Cotton or dry grass serves well for a nest. Food should 1)c sup- 

 plied sparingly. 



It is scarcely necessary to mention the now universally rec- 

 ognized economic importance of these little animals. The good 

 they do by eating weed seed and the larvae of May-beetles and 

 other injurious insects probably outweighs the damage done to 

 crops. However, too little is known about their food and habits. 

 Researches upon these little creatures have been both interest- 

 ing and instructive, but further studies of this nature should be 

 pursued in the zoological laboratories. Work of this kind may 

 also be carried on in the rural schools, where each pupil may 

 not only contribute and observe, but report tlic results first hand 

 to the farmer. 



Zoological Laboratory, 

 University of Illinois. 



The Nature-Study Department of the Summer Session 

 Cornell University, for 1910, will be under the charge of Prof. 

 L. S. Hawkins, of the Cortland Normal School. The courses 

 are designed especially for teachers and supervisors and also to 

 give practical instruction to those interested in out-of-doors. 



