DORMOUSE. 85 



are more grey than red, but gradually assume the adult tint. 

 There are no scent glands. 



The adults have usually retired by the middle of October, by 

 which date they have prepared for a long sleep by accumulating 

 much fat beneath their coats, and make further provision by 

 laying up a store of nuts. The reason for the latter is that the 

 Dormouse's sleep is not continuous. It wakes up at intervals, 

 has a good meal, and resumes its sleep. Its activities are not 

 resumed until the spring, so that its retirement lasts nearly for 

 half the year. Its winter nest is usually under moss among 

 roots, or far underground. Its sleep is profound, without 

 breathing, and it becomes absolutely cold. 



The food of the Dormouse is much the same as the Squirrel's, 

 but it is particularly fond of the hazel-nut, a good fat producer, 

 and the "haws" of the whitethorn. It does not crack the 

 shell of the nut, but gnaws quite a small hole, extracting the 

 kernel piecemeal. In addition it eats many insects, and some- 

 times indulges in birds' eggs or even the birds themselves, if 

 they can be captured. 



The Dormouse is frequently kept as a pet for children, for 

 which its gentle, fearless manner and non-disposition to bite 

 seem to make it specially suitable ; but we have found it 

 regarded by youngsters as " a bit of a fraud " in this character, 

 for as they have said, " It doesn't wake up until we are asleep." 

 We have found that in semi-captivity it woke on most evenings 

 throughout the winter to enjoy a supper of apples and nuts. 

 Freshly captured specimens become tame at once. Ours were 

 fond of climbing the long window curtains and hunting for 

 flies for the Dormouse is insectivorous as well as frugivorous. 

 It is not given to the gnawing of wood, like the true Mice ; and 

 it is said to be one of the creatures that are immune to Viper 

 poison. 



The Dormouse is a European animal, but it does not extend 

 northwards of Sweden. In agreement with this distribution, 





