324 UPLAND AND MEADOW. 



run wild, if snch thej are, but all were too quick for 

 me. A year ago I tried to determine the species, but 

 found no trace of various cliaracters belonging to cer- 

 tain forms, such as the rice-field mouse or the harvest 

 mouse; both of which are possibly found about here. 

 On the other hand, the specimens examined did not 

 quite accord with the descriptions given of a typical 

 house mouse. 



An observing old husker, to whom I applied for an 

 opinion, said lie did not believe they were the same as 

 house mice. They were "too quick, too small, too 

 black, too knowin'." I have no reason to believe my 

 corn-tield mouse is one not down in the books; and as 

 I have never seen them except when the corn is being 

 harvested, I have thought and still believe they are 

 mice from the out-buildings that are abroad for a time, 

 and will return to their old quarters in the course of 

 the season. Supposing them to have been two or three 

 months in the fields, ought we to expect a variation in 

 the color of their fnr?» All such mice were apparently 

 nearly black. As to their being " too knowin','' as my 

 friend said, I am in doubt. It is a mistake to consider 

 a house mouse dull; and my corn-field mice have never 

 shown, in my presence, evidence of superior intellect. 



That cunning spider has been visited again and 

 again, but the purpose of spinning a web about that 

 dead bird does not yet appear. I believe the fact that 

 dead animal matter attracts flies is known to the spider, 

 and so the bird was acceptable as a bait for them. If 

 so, this is a wise spider. It may be, that in time, if the 



