WILD LIFE OF ORCHARD AND FIELD 



didae, or jumping-mice, and the Muridae, or fam- 

 ily of the true rats and mice. 



The former tribe contains two species, Zapus 

 hudsonius and Zapus insignis the latter being 

 somewhat larger than the former, and inclining 

 more to the woods than its relative, which is main- 

 ly a mouse of the valleys and meadows. Both 

 these species have cheek - pouches and are classi- 

 fied near the gophers. 



These jumping-mice are the prettiest of all the 

 Eastern wild species. If you should look at a kan- 

 garoo through the w r rong end of a telescope, you 

 would have a very fair idea of our little friend's 

 form, with hind legs and feet very long and slender, 

 and fore-legs very short; so that when he sits up 

 they seem like little paws held before him in a co- 

 quettish way. His tail is often twice the length 

 of his body, and is tipped with a brush of long 

 hairs. He has a knowing look in his face, with 

 its upright, furry ears and bright eyes. Being 

 dark brown above, yellowish brown on the sides, 

 and white underneath, with white stockings, he 

 makes a gay figure among his more soberly dressed 

 companions; yet his fur is notably coarse and 

 rough. Various names are given him, such as 

 the wood-mouse, kangaroo-mouse, and others. 



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