64 'WEE TIM'ROUS BEASTIES' 



in many ways and yet so distinct when we come 

 to examine them more closely, are all around 

 us, some one or other and often all of them 

 wherever we are, if once outside of town or 

 village ; and yet we shall hardly see them unless 

 we search for them, and that with care and 

 caution. They are but a timid folk, and not 

 much abroad by day, so that, near neighbours 

 as we may be, many of us remain for a lifetime 

 unaware of their existence. 



The two central figures on the little mound 

 are really 'mice/ the long- tailed field mouse or 

 wood mouse, M^cs sylvaticus, and are doubtless 

 the prettiest of the little company. Reddish- 

 brown above, though varying much in tint, and 

 whitish beneath, they are noticeable at once 

 from their bright prominent eyes, long ears, 

 and generally elegant form. The head and 

 body measure some 4^ inches and the tail 

 nearly the same. Distributed widely over 

 Europe, this mouse is plentiful all over the 

 mainland of Scotland and the Inner Isles, and 

 is also found in Orkney, but not in Shetland 

 nor the Outer Hebrides. In winter it frequently 

 comes for shelter to out-houses, barns, and 

 dwelling-houses, laying up for itself a store of 

 seeds, corn and such like, and it must be con- 

 fessed that this pretty little creature is some- 



