519 



THE MICE. 



Last, and amoug the least, so far as their physical 

 developiueut is concerned, we have the Mice, which 

 in species, number nine, and this number will likely 

 be aujiiuented wlien more cari.-tiil invest igat ions arc 

 made. While these mammals, so far as size is con- 

 cerned, are insignificant to look upon, they, or at 

 least, certain species — notably those termed Meadow 

 and Field Mice — are of ijreat economic impoitance. In 

 districts where these little rodents abound they do 

 ;;i('aL (hima.ue jiud cjiiise thousands and Ihousands 

 of dollars loss nnnnally in the agricultural com- 

 munities. AVhen tlie farmer is at rest in the niglit 

 time these spiightly, sleek-coat(^ little robbers be 

 come most active and prey upon the results of the 

 husbandman's care and labor-. 



The common House ^Fousc. an exotic, is omnivorous; 

 it has been known to kill cage birds and ycuing chick- 

 ens. The White-footed Mouse likes honey and he also, 

 it is said, hais been known to attack chickims but a few 

 days old. Dr. C. Hart Merrinm. writing of the White- 

 foot ^fouso, says: 



■•It is f.Jiid of fle.sh, aid, likf' tho Fl> iiii;- Sfiuiii.'l. easeily ,h'- 

 vouis dead birds placed in it.s way. Indeed, this is done so 

 naturally, that the susjiicion arises as to whether it does not 

 sometimes capture and prey ui)i->ii the smaller birds on their 

 roosts at night." 



MICE, HAWKS AND OWLS. 



The thoughtful person says: Why is it that these 

 nimble four-footed pests which inhabit the meadow 

 and grass fields have increased so rapidly within the 

 last few years? The answei is: In the first place 

 they are hardy and exceediugly prolific; then popular 



