CLIMBING MICE. iii 



breed in the woods : first perhaps because they are less 

 disturbed there, next because under the trees the earth 

 is usually softer, retains its moisture longer, and is easier 

 to work. From the woods their tracks branch out, 

 ramifying like the roads which lead from a city. They 

 have in addition main arteries of traffic, king's high- 

 ways, along which they will journey one after the other ; 

 so that the mole-catcher, if he can discover such a road, 

 slaughters many in succession. The heaps they throw up 

 are awkward in mowing grass, the scythe striking against 

 them ; and in consequence of complaints of their rapid 

 multiplication in the woods the keeper has to employ men 

 to reduce their numbers. It is curious to note how speedily 

 the mole buries himself in the soil ; it is as if he suddenly 

 dived into the earth. 



Another slight rustling — a pause, and it is repeated ; 

 this time on the bank, among the dry grass. It is mice ; 

 they have a nervous habit of progressing in sharp, short 

 stages. They rush forward seven or eight inches with 

 lightning-like celerity — a dun streak seems to pass before 

 your eye ; then they stop short a moment or two, and 

 again make another dash. This renders it difficult to 

 observe them, especially as a single dead brown leaf is 

 sufficient to hide one. It is so silent that they grow bold, 

 and play their antics freely, darting to and fro, round and 

 under the stoles, chasing each other. Sometimes they 

 climb the bushes, running along the upper surface of the 



