THE DORMOUSE. 



489 



The total length of this animal is rather more than eight inches, of which measurement the 

 tail occupies three inches. The general color of its fur is gray, deeply tinged with red 

 upon the back, and becoming white upon the abdomen. Below the eye is a patch of black 

 fur, which extends nearly to the ears. The tail of the Lerot is covered with short black 

 hair, changing rather abruptly into white at its extremity. It has derived its title of Garden 

 Dormouse from its annoying habit of entering gardens and making sad havoc of the choicest 

 fruit ; for it is an animal of great taste, and 

 makes its selection among the ripest and 

 best fruits with an accuracy of judgment 

 that may be highly agreeable to itself, but 

 is sincerely execrated by the owner of the 

 garden. It is particularly fond of espalier- 

 trained fruit-trees, and is much given to 

 devouring the peaches when they are just 

 in their bloom of rosy perfection. 



The Lerot is not content with making 

 these autumnal raids upon the gardens, 

 but is sufficiently provident to lay up a 

 store of food for the winter, and for that 

 purpose to carry off corn, peas, and beans 

 in no small quantity. Its winter nest is 

 made in some convenient recess, where six 

 or eight Lerots congregate, and pass the 

 cold wintry months in a slumber which is 

 almost unbroken, except by the needful 

 occasional wakings for the purpose of tak- 

 ing food. In summer time it makes a 

 temporary nest in hollow trees, holes in 

 old walls, or in similar localities, and 

 reposes diiring the daytime upon a bed 

 of dried grass and leaves. Sometimes it 

 is so bold that it will make its way into 

 human habitations, and establish itself in 

 the very home of the justly incensed owner 

 of the garden. 



The young Lerots enter upon their 

 existence in the middle of summer, and grow with wonderful rapidity. They do not, 

 however, become parents in their turn until the following year. The average number of 

 young Lerots which are produced at a single birth is from four to six. 



LOIRE, OE FAT DORMOUSE.— Myoxus glis. 



The common Dormouse is abundantly found in many districts of England, as well as on 

 the Continent, and is in great favor as a domestic pet. 



The total length of this pretty little animal is rather more than five inches, the tail being 

 two inches and a half long. The color of its fur is a light reddish-brown upon the back, 

 yellowish-white upon the abdomen, and white on the throat. These tints belong to the adult 

 animal only, as in the juvenile Dormouse the fur is nearly of the same color as that of the 

 common mouse, the ruddy tinge only appearing on the head and sides. It is not until the 

 little creatures have nearly completed a year of existence that they assume the beautiful 

 hues of adult age. The tail is thickly covered with hair, which is arranged in a double row 

 throughout its length, and forms a slight tuft at the extremity. The head is rather large in 

 proportion to the body, the ears are large and broad, and the eye full, black, and slightly 

 prominent. 



The Dormouse is a nocturnal animal, passing the whole of the day in its warm and neatly 

 constructed nest, which is generally built in the most retired spot of some thick bush or small 



