3cS2 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



In a previous chapter of this work, the beautiful pensile nest 

 of the Harvest Mouse has been described and figured, and the 

 burrows of other species of mouse have been cursorily men- 

 tioned. I shall now proceed to describe the nests of the 

 common Field Mice, together with the habitation of the little 

 brown-coated, long-tailed, sharp-nosed rodent, that is so familiar 

 in houses unguarded by cats or traps. 



We will first take the nest of the Short-tailed Field Mouse, 

 otherwise termed Campagnol, or Field Vole {Arvicola arvmsis). 

 This pretty little creature, whose red back, grey belly, short ears, 

 and blunt nose, might be seen daily if human eyes were more 

 accustomed to observation, is extremely plentiful in the fields, 

 especially those of a low-lying and marshy character, such as 

 water meadows and hay-fields near rivers. 



Though more nocturnal than diurnal in their habits, the little 

 creatures are not afraid of daylight, and I have often captured 

 them when the sun was at its meridian height. But they are so 

 smooth and easy in their movements, harmonise so well with the 

 colour of the soil, and glide so deftly between the grass, that 

 they can scarcely be distinguished even when the blades are 

 only a few inches in length. I have known them to traverse 

 the ground while a game at cricket was proceeding, and to cross 

 the closely-mown space between the wickets, as if serenely con- 

 scious of their invisibility. 



They seem to glide rather than to walk, and thread their way 

 silently and without noise. Even when the grass is short, a 

 little patch of reddish earth attracts no attention, and the red- 

 brown fur of the mouse is so similar to such earth, that few 

 would notice it. But if a more attentive observer finds that in 

 a few seconds the ruddy patch has changed its place, his sus- 

 picions are at once aroused, and he examines the moving tint 

 more curiously. He must, however, keep his eye upon it as he 

 moves towards it, for if he once loses sight of it, he will in all 

 probability miss it altogether, and think that his eye must have 

 deceived him. 



Towards the evening, however, the Campagnol is less fearful, 

 and not only traverses the fields, but ascends the shrubs and 



I 



