290 MURID^. 



"It was beautifully and elaborately constructed of the 

 panicles and leaves of three stems of the common reed 

 interwoven together, and forming a roundish ball, sus- 

 pended on the living plants at a height of about five 

 inches from the ground. On the side opposite to the 

 stems, rather below the middle, was a small aperture, 

 v^^hich appeared to be closed during the absence of the 

 parent, and was scarcely observable even after one of the 

 young had made its escape through it. The inside, when 

 examined with the little finger, was found to be soft and 

 warm, smooth, and neatly rounded, but very confined. 

 This nest contained but five young : but one less elabo- 

 rately formed, previously examined by Dr. Gloger, was 

 found to afford shelter to no less than nine. The panicles 

 and leaves of the grass were very artificially woven toge- 

 ther, the latter being first slit by the action of the little 

 animal's teeth into more or less minute bands or strings. 

 No other substance was used in the construction of the 

 nest, which was altogether without cement, or any 

 means of cohesion, save the interweaving of its com- 

 ponent parts : it consequently suffered considerable 

 disturbance even from the most careful handling, 

 losing in neatness of form as much as it gained in 

 its increasing size." * We have often seen the nest 

 in the neighbourhood of Stratford-on-Avon, and can 

 testify to the accuracy of Dr. Gloger's descrip- 

 tion. 



This little animal probably breeds during a consider- 

 able portion of the year in favourable situations ; and as 

 it brings forth from five to eight, or even nine young at 

 a time, its increase would be immense did it not prove 

 an easy victim to every beast and bird of prey. In those 

 instances in which it has brought forth its young in con- 

 * White's Selborue, by Bennett, p. 58, note. 



