256 RODENTIA. 



It is exclusivel}' a vegetarian. It l)urrows in the 

 earth, and hibernates. Like the other Rodents that 

 hibernate, it awakes at intervals during the winter to 

 feed on its store of food. It is a proHfic animal, but 

 some years it is more abundant than in others. Mr. 

 E. P. Thompson says that its cheeks are furnished with 

 pouches which hold about two ounces of grain each. 



The Hamster, which somewhat resembles a Rat, is 

 about 8 to 10 inches in length, not including the short 

 tail, which is 1 to 1^ inches long, and almost bare of 

 hairs, especially at the tip. The general colour is 

 brownish-grey, and the under fur is blue. The cheeks 

 are irregularly marked with red, with a white patch 

 immediately below. The ears are short, and nearly bare. 

 The throat is white, and there is a yellowish-white patch 

 on the fore-leg, and another close to it on the side. 

 The belly and legs are black, but the feet are white, and 

 are furnished with small white claws. The middle toe 

 is the shortest, and the two exterior toes the next 

 shortest. The whiskers are sparse and black. The 

 incisor teeth are long, especially those of the lower jaw. 

 Like other Rodents, it has the power of raising itself on 

 its hind feet. 



As a fur it is of little value, except for linings, for 

 which purpose it is well adapted by the lightness of its 

 pelt, and the beautiful contrast of colours on the back 

 and sides, part of the belly being cut away. Many 

 thousands are imported annually into England in this 

 shape. Two collections take place annually, in May, 

 and in September and October, the former catch being 

 the better, like the winter catch of the Musk-rat. 



Black examples are sometimes met with, and white, 

 or light fawn, are by no means uncommon. 



