Nest-Builders 



is oval in shape and so deftly concealed is the entrance 

 hole that it is impossible for the inexperienced eye to 

 find it. Seeing that the dormouse sleeps for the greater 

 part of the day his name implies that he is a sleeper 

 he probably pays very special attention to his nest, that 

 enemies may not fall upon him during his siesta. The 

 dome of the nest is constructed loosely of interlaced grass 

 leaves ; the lower half of the nest is made of finer grass, 

 and very special care is bestowed upon its weaving ; often, 

 indeed, these fine grasses are bound together with the 

 stems of climbing plants. The door which covers the 

 entrance to the nest is formed of grass leaves, ingeniously 

 arranged to exclude intruders. 



The short-tailed field-mouse builds a summer nest 

 which is deserving of a few words. Placed on the 

 ground in a little hollow in the earth, and usually 

 hidden by a clump of grass or other herbage, it is 

 by no means easy to find. The building material is 

 grass, nibbled into small pieces and shredded, so that 

 it appears like flax or some similar fibre. Of door to 

 the nest there simply appears to be none, so skilfully 

 is it concealed. 



The common mouse is not so particular as its relatives ; 

 it will build in the most unlikely places ; no situation, 

 no material comes amiss to him. His natural building 

 material consists of dried grasses. In his semi-domesticated 

 state he will make use of paper, string, material of all 

 kinds and even dress clothes, as the author can testify 

 to his cost. The nests are placed in drawers, bottles, 

 upturned flower-pots and the like ; even the homely loaf 

 of bread does not come amiss ; in fact there is an authentic 

 record of such a site being selected. A newly baked loaf 

 of bread was put away and, on the following day, a hole 

 was observed in the loaf. Further examination revealed 

 the fact that a mouse had built a nest of paper therein, 

 and deposited a number of youngsters. Incredibly quick 

 work for the loaf to cool, the cavity to be eaten away, the 



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