THE DORMOUSE 73 



have never got through a second winter in 

 captivity. They were quite healthy until the 

 late autumn, when they died suddenly with- 

 out any symptoms of illness, and Mr. H. E. 

 Forrest, the well-known naturalist, tells me that 

 he has tried repeatedly with exactly the same 

 results. 



Another interesting point concerning this mouse 

 is why it should be plentiful in some spots, and 

 not in others that appear equally suitable ? It 

 is far from evenly distributed; it will be com- 

 paratively numerous in one place (it is never 

 really plentiful) and seldom met with in the 

 next coppice. In my experience its favourite 

 haunts are deep, warm, bush-clad dingles, where 

 it is sheltered from cold winds. Those who only 

 know the dormouse as a charming caged pet, 

 of a somewhat somnolent and easygoing disposi- 

 tion, can have little idea of its beauty in its native 

 dingles, where the dull, lethargic mouse is trans- 

 formed into an active sprite, which slips so swiftly 

 from twig to twig that it looks like a yellow leaf 

 drifting before an autumn breeze. Some writers 

 consider the beautiful yellow-brown coat con- 

 spicuous, and say it in no way conceals its wearer, 

 but I can only reply that I have always found 

 a dormouse at home in a nut bush extremely 

 difficult to see unless it gives itself away by 

 moving. The tint seems to harmonize very well 

 with the surroundings. In any case the dormouse 

 is one of the most charming and dainty of our 

 woodland creatures, 



