336 THE LONG-TAILED FIELD MOUSE. 



dant species, it proves one of the greatest pests in corn-fields, 

 plantations, and gardens. Besides satisfying its present appe- 

 tite to repletion, it carries away a considerable quantity of 

 beans, corn, seeds, nuts, acorns, beech mast, and even roots, 

 which it conceals in its subterranean store-room, in case of a 

 dearth in winter.* To get at the kernel of a nut, it drills a 

 small round hole in the side of the shell 3 a process different 

 from that adopted by the squirrel, or the bird called nut-hatch 

 (Sitta Europed). 



Professor Bell says, that " when driven by hunger, they will 

 eat various animal matters, young birds, or mice, or even each 

 other, the smaller and weaker falling victims to the stronger." 



In some years different countries have been visited by what 

 we may term irruptions of mice, an enormous and formidable 

 increase of them. Ashdod, in consequence of the captivity of the 

 ark, was smitten with multitudes of mice. Sennacherib's army, 

 when on the point of invading Egypt, was, according to Hero- 

 dotus, assailed by an innumerable host of mice, who by devouring 

 their bow-strings, shield- straps, baggage, &c., foiled the invader. 

 An exactly similar visitation befel some of the Teneri, as they 

 lay encamped during the night-time, near Amaxitus, a town of 

 the Troad. Some geographers have thought that the country 

 called Mysia, derived its name from its abounding in mice. 

 " M. Varro tells us that the natives of Gyarus, an island of the 

 Cyclades group, had been driven out by mice ; but considering 

 the prolificness of mice, it ceases to be a wonder whence comes 

 such a host of them to destroy the harvests. It is still a 

 secret how these immense numbers so suddenly disappear ; 

 for they are not found dead, neither is there any person to be 

 met with who, during the winter, has dug up a mouse in the 

 fields. Many have also made their appearance in the Troad, 

 and have now driven the inhabitants thence. Their appearance 



* " Mr. Wagstaff says, that the tussocks of wheat seen to arise in many 

 fields, are owing to their granaries, which he has often found to contain 

 nearly a hatful of corn, which grows into a tuft if the animal be accidentally 

 destroyed. These tufts he recommends to be divided and transplanted in 

 the spring." Stawell's Translation of Virgil's Georgics (1808), p. 311. 



