122 WILD NEIGHBORS CHAP. 
birds, and reptiles, without whose assistance we 
should be unable to endure their hordes, — while 
the results of their pernicious activity are con- 
stantly apparent. Read this extract from Kenni- 
cott’s masterly but nearly forgotten papers on the 
mammals of Illinois, and note how important a 
factor in the relations of men and animals are 
these unseen foes: he is speaking more particu- 
larly of the true meadow-mice of the genus Arvi- 
cola, but we may take his statements as good for 
the whole class. 
“The food and general habits of the different 
species are much alike, though some prefer high, 
and others wet ground; while others inhabit the 
woods, prairies, etc. All the species burrow, and 
none climb trees. The common food of those I 
have observed is the grasses and other herbaceous 
plants, their seeds and roots, and the seeds and 
acorns, as well as the bark, of trees in the woods, 
with grain and vegetables, when inhabiting culti- 
vated fields. Some are omnivorous, as has been 
observed in their habits while in captivity. To 
what extent they eat animal food when at liberty, 
I am unable to say, though it is probable that 
they consume some insects in summer; and they 
may even obtain a few, with the pupz and eggs 
of more, concealed in the grass traversed by them 
in winter. Some kinds, at least, lay up stores of 
food for winter. All are active at this time, mov- 
ing about in the coldest weather, and never hiber- 
nate like marmots. = 
“One characteristic, certainly possessed by all 
the species in common, is their ability to destroy 
