218 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
retained faint traces of original mouse-colour, caused by the tips 
of the hairs being of a dusky whity-brown. As the specimen 
was placed in spirits I was unable to judge if the eyes were pink 
or black, but they appeared to be of the latter colour—and 
indeed this has since been stated to be the case. Whether a 
cross between escaped albino mice and the common mouse, or 
merely an accidental variety, it is hard to say, but as the owners 
of the house do not appear to have ever kept ‘“‘ white mice” the 
presumption is in favour of the latter supposition. In evidence 
of the fecundity of this species I may state that Mr. A. W. 
Evans, of Soar Lane Mill, brought me a litter of no less than 
twenty-two naked young ones on 31st March, 1884. 
Mus minutus, Pall. Harvest Mouse.—Rare. Harley states 
that it is not certain that this species is found throughout the 
county, having been met with by him in only one or two parishes 
in the southern division, as for instance at Cosby and Whetstone. 
It has also occurred in the eastern portion of the county, namely, 
in the parish of Wolstrup, on the estate of the Duke of Rutland. 
Mr. Ingram, writing from Belvoir, does not mention it, but Mr. 
Widdowson says, February 6th, 1885:—‘“‘A few—not many— 
have come into my hands.” Writing again on the 12th, he 
says :—‘ The last Harvest Mouse I had was from Burton Lazars. 
Distributed thinly, I think, near here.” 
Mus sylvaticus (Linn.). Long-tailed Field Mouse.—Generally 
distributed and breeding. Harley says:—‘‘ Common. Distributed 
over the county.” He examined the winter retreat of one of these 
mice near Bradgate Park, and was astonished at the quantity of 
stores which had been carried in, and which he computed at the 
fourth part of an imperial bushel. 
Arvicola amphibius (Linn.).. Water Vole.—Generally dis- 
tributed and breeding. Harley remarks that ‘this species is 
much preyed upon by the Weasel and Stoat. The Heron, 
moreover, attacks it, and preys on it occasionally. Liable to 
variety.” Regarding the last statement I was always of opinion 
that this species, with the exception of the black variety 
mentioned by Bell, was most constant in its coloration, having 
had the opportunity of examining some hundreds—from all parts 
of England—since boyhood, but Mr. R. Widdowson, the well- 
known taxidermist of Melton Mowbray, assures me that he can, 
any season, procure near Melton a constant light-red variety, 
