18 NUMBERS OF THE FIELD-MOUSE. 



cannot readily close on them, even when they are 

 discovered. 



From this facility of avoiding observation and 

 capture, they seem to derive much audacity, and 

 run about a field in fear of nothing but the kestrel. 



When first I made a personal acquaintance with 

 these creatures, it was under rather peculiar circum- 

 stances. There is a certain field, which was given 

 up to football, cricket, hockey, and similar games, 

 as soon as the grass was converted into hay and 

 removed. One day I was very tired with running, 

 and lay down to rest on a pile of coats that had been 

 laid aside ; my eyes were fixed on one spot of earth, 

 just visible between the grass stalks, but without 

 any particular object. Presently I thought I saw a 

 something red glide across the spot, but was not 

 certain. However, I leaned over the place and a 

 little farther on saw the same thing again. So I 

 made a sharp pounce at the object, and found that 

 I had caught a short-tailed field-mouse. 



Now here was this impertinent little animal tak- 

 ing a walk close to the wicket, in spite of the bats, 

 ball," and runners. In order to watch its proceed- 

 ings, I released it, and followed it in its progress. 

 After watching for a few minutes, I happened to 

 look up for a moment ; and when I again looked for 

 the creature, it was gone, and I could not find it 

 again. 



Subsequently I became sufficiently expert to find 



