THE GREY DORMOUSE 



In captivity, if they are not fed liberally and 

 kept cosy, dry and warm, these Dormice soon die. 

 Unless thoroughly tamed, they always attempt to 

 bite the fingers if lifted or otherwise handled. 



Beyond feeding occasionally on grain and fruits, 

 the Grey Dormouse does little direct harm to man. 

 It, however, does him some indirect harm, for, if 

 it should come across a bird's nest containing eggs 

 or young, it will devour them ; and as insectivorous 

 birds are of the greatest possible economic value to 

 the country, it is not at all desirable that they 

 should be destroyed. However, the number 

 accounted for by the Dormice is not great, and 

 these little animals' compensate man by being 

 energetic insect-destroyers themselves. They may, 

 therefore, be regarded as one of the lesser enemies 

 of insectivorous bird life ; and from an economic 

 standpoint they are useful to man. Of course, as 

 with everything, circumstances alter cases, for if 

 a Dormouse becomes a nuisance by reason of 

 having developed a liking for the young of 

 favourite birds in a man's garden, or gnaws its 

 way into his bee-hives, then he has every right to 

 destroy it. But, because under certain circum- 

 stances a few individuals of a species of bird or 

 animal do damage, it does not follow that man is 

 acting wisely in declaring war against the whole of 

 the species, as he so frequently does. Man does 

 not seem to reason overmuch on these matters. 

 He observes hastily and inaccurately, and in conse- 

 79 



