58 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



architectural skill possessed by this little creature, as compared 

 with other rats and mice, is decidedly apparent. The bedding 

 (consisting of hay alone), though merely stuffed into the box so 

 as nearly to till it, has been arranged so as to form a round and 

 compact nest, about the size of those built in the spring and 

 summer to serve as nurseries, but differs from these latter in 

 possessing two opposite entrances, so that if disturbed at one the 

 mouse makes her escape at the other. The nest is lined with 

 small particles of hay, sj)lit by the little animal's teeth, and thus 

 rendered softer and more suitable for the purpose. These mice 

 seem to have a decided partiality during the summer months for 

 the borders of ditches, building their nests among the tall rank 

 herbage growing in such situations, in low bushes, or even in the 

 reeds growing in the ditch ; see ' Zoologist,' June, 1881, p. 233, 

 where a very interesting account is given by Prof. H. Schlegel of 

 a colony of Harvest jMice, discovered by liim near the towii of 

 Leyden, containing over fifty nests, some of the colonists having 

 even adapted to their own requirements the nests of aquatic 

 warblers built in the same spot, by covering them with a cap of 

 grass. Of the two nests, which is all I have been fortunate 

 enough to find up to the present time, one was built in a low 

 blackthorn bush growing by the side of a ditch, and I once 

 picked up a freshly-killed mouse of this species in a similar 

 situation ; the other nest was in a plant of the common broom. 

 I am not aware that this habit of congregating during the 

 breeding season has ever been observed in England. Although a 

 most accomplished climber, every movement being performed 

 with consummate grace and ease, this species lacks the extra- 

 ordinary speed and activity which is so characteristic of our 

 familiar little household thief, and is much more easily pounced 

 upon when discovered. I have rejjeatedly seen a Harvest Mouse 

 support the whole weight of his body on the tail, for a second or 

 so in trying to climb out of an upright glass jar, the fore paws 

 alone merely touching the glass to preserve the animal's balance. 



This little creature, like its congeners, M. musctdus and M. 

 SJjlvaticus, bites savagely when handled, and, from a habit 

 (common to all three) of hanging on like a bull-dog, at the same 

 time moving the jaws about while the teeth are still in the wound, 

 makes one a little cautious after the first experience, especially 

 where a sound finger is an object. 



The colour of the Harvest Mouse, though very beautiful, is in 



