MUS MINUTUS. 103 



and Siberia, as far as the river Jenissei ; also Hungary and 

 near Berlin, and has been taken near Frankfort-on-the- 

 Maine, which would appear to be its western limit (1838, 

 De Selys). Not uncommon in Hanover, Brunswick, and 

 Thuringia, and has been found in Lombardy. 



Mus minutus. 



Mus minutus, De Selts, Micromm. ; Desm. Mamm. Sp. 485. 

 Mus messorius, Desm. Mamm. Sp. 479 ; Bell, Brit. Quad. 

 Mus campestris, F. Cutter. 

 Mus pendulinus, Hermann. 

 The Harvest Mouse. 



Descetpiion. — The general form is rather more elongated 

 and slender than that of most of the genus. Tail generally 

 rather shorter than the body, but variable in length, being 

 often as long as the body, especially in old individuals, 

 sometimes shorter by one-third ; ears rounded, about one- 

 third of the length of the head ; eyes less prominent than 

 in M. syhatieus. Fur on the upper parts reddish brown, 

 rather brighter than that of the Dormouse ; the hairs are 

 dusky at the base, red towards the point ; the under parts 

 pure white. The two colours are abruptly separated. 



Length of head and body, 2 inches 6 lines; head, 10 

 lines ; ears, 3 lines ; tail, 2 inches 5 lines. 



Is found in corn-fields. Feeds on grain, and is easily 

 tamed and very gentle. Makes a nest of grass and straw, 

 suspended at a small height from the ground. 



Has been found in various parts of England, but is not 

 common there. Is more frequent in Belgium and in parts 

 of France. Has been found in Alsace, near Paris, on the 

 Loire, and near Nismes. Occurs all over Germany, Sweden, 

 and Finland. Professor Blasius has found it in North Italy, 

 although Prince Buonaparte does not include it in his list 

 of Italian animals. 



