294 MURID^. 



tamed, and rendered perfectly familiar. We have seen 

 several of them running out upon the breakfast-table of 

 our late most valued friend, Dr. Leach, of whose kind 

 and affectionate disposition they appeared to have an 

 almost instinctive perception, as they would feed from 

 his hand, or from his plate, without the least fear, and 

 allow him to handle and play with them as freely as the 

 Dormouse. It frequently comes into houses on the 

 approach of winter ; and the largest we ever saw was 

 taken in a mouse-trap in the larder at the Wakes, in 

 Selborne. Its retreat is formed under ground, either in 

 holes formed by its own labour, or more frequently in 

 small natural excavations under the trunks or roots of 

 trees, enlarged by themselves, or in the deserted runs of 

 the Mole. The quantity of food which is here hoarded 

 is astonishing : it consists of. acorns, nuts, corn, and 

 various seeds, or even roots ; and, in addition to this 

 immediate injury, "the great damage," says Pennant, 

 " done to our fields by the Hogs rooting up the ground, 

 is chiefly owing to their search after the concealed hoards 

 of the Field Mice." Their depredations amongst early 

 planted peas are often so considerable as to 'become a 

 matter of serious consideration to the gardener, and 

 several traps have been devised for their destruction. 

 One of the most effective, and at the same time so simple 

 in construction as to be easily within the reach of any one, 

 is the following : — Two pegs are thrust firmly into the 

 ground, and standing a few inches high, at such a dis- 

 tance apart as to admit of a brick being placed between 

 tliem. A piece of twine is then taken, and a bean, which 

 has been softened by soaking, is threaded upon it like a 

 bead, and it is then extended between the two pegs, and 

 firmly secured at either end to them, the bean being 

 about the middle of the twine. The brick is then placed 



