THE FIELD MOUSE 521 



seeds of which and of other plants it probably eats, with the 

 addition of the varied dainties cast up by the waves. Its 

 adaptability is so wide that it thrives equally well in the flower- 

 beds of Regent's Park, London, and on the lonely hills of 

 Sutherland.^ As an instance of its powers of surviving in 

 unusual situations — Mr J. E. Harting once caught one which 

 landed at Dobbin Island, Pagham Harbour, Sussex,^ Mr G. T. 

 Rope has observed one swim out leisurely into the centre of a 

 pond,* a correspondent of Mr H. E. Forrest (iV. Wales, 1907, 

 50) watched one swim a considerable distance across flood 

 water at Llanderfel, and Mr Millais (p. 195), suggests that it 

 is capable of swimming 200 yards without fatigue. It is, of 

 course, a much wider wanderer than any of the "Voles," and 

 predominantly, if not entirely nocturnal,* which is no doubt 

 a cause of its prominent round eyes, recalling those of the 

 Dormouse. Yet, like the Common Shrew and Bank Mouse, it 

 may be trapped by daylight, so that it is unsafe to lay down 

 an absolute rule of conduct for it. Individuals of nocturnal 

 animals found out by day are usually either feeble, sick, or senile. 



Where it abounds, it may be found at night, if searched for 

 with a lantern, bounding along in a peculiar zigzag and erratic 

 manner,^ remotely resembling the movements of a kangaroo 

 or gerboa, and at all times, even when it walks, its long hind 

 feet give it a characteristic "action" in moving about, which 

 is probably its most peculiar feature ; and Mr Douglas English 

 has known one to leap down 1 5 feet, and proceed unhurt, 

 thus showing the elasticity of its limbs. The tracks of the 

 Field Mouse (Fig. 85) are characterised by the length of the 

 median tail mark ; Adams has observed them in snow extend- 

 ing for a distance of 100 yards — clear proof that these mice 

 roam comparatively far from their homes. It sits bolt upright, 

 using the tail for support. 



Its large ears appear capable of detecting the slightest 

 sound ; they twitch convulsively at a chirp or whistle so faint 



' Millais (189). 



^ Specimen in British Museum of Natural History ; see also Harting, Zoologist, 

 1891, 185. 



^ Zoologist, 1891, 185. * Lataste ; Rope, Zoologist, 1887, 201. 



' Rope, Zoologist, 1887, 206. I made similar observations respecting the nocturnal 

 Murida in South Africa (Barrett-Hamilton). 



VOL. II. 2 L 



