THE WAYS OF MEADOW MICE 



DAY after day we may walk through the 

 woods and fields, using our eyes as best we 

 can, searching out every moving thing, following 

 up every sound, — and yet we touch only the coars- 

 est, perceive only the grossest of the life about 

 us. Tramp the same way after a fall of snow and 

 we are astonished at the evidences of life of which 

 we knew nothing. Everywhere, in and out among 

 the reed stems, around the tree-trunks, and in 

 wavy lines and spirals all about, runs the delicate 

 tracery of the meadow mice trails. No leapers 

 these, as are the white-footed and jumping mice, 

 but short-legged and stout of body. Yet with all 

 their lack of size and swiftness, they are untiring 

 little folk, and probably make long journeys from 

 their individual nests. 



As far north as Canada and west to the Plains 

 the meadow or field mice are found, and every- 

 where they seem to be happy and content. Most 

 of all, however, they enjoy the vicinity of water, 

 and a damp, half -marshy meadow is a paradise 

 for them. No wonder their worst enemies are 

 known as marsh hawks and marsh owls; these 

 hunters of the daylight and the night well know 

 where the meadow mice love to play. 



These mice are resourceful little beings and 



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