THE HOUSE MOUSE 651 



Distinguishing characters: — Specimens in the tawny outdoor 

 pelage can readily be mistaken for young Field Mice, especially when 

 both species are caught together. The short, broad foot, the characters 

 of the palmar and plantar tubercles, the small eyes, the presence of ten 

 mammae in the female, and the peculiar odour, afford the surest means 

 of identification; while the characters of the skull and teeth are, of 

 course, absolutely diagnostic. 



It is hardly necessary to describe the habits of such a 

 familiar, elegant, and entertaining little thief as the House 

 Mouse. Of very delicate build, its movements are rapid : 

 running with great speed for short distances, it occasionally 

 bounds and can make leaps from astonishing heights without 

 sustaining injury. It is a good climber, and can swim well, 

 although perhaps it does not take to water in normal circum- 

 stances. Though possibly possessing only indifferent sight, 

 it is gifted with acute senses of smell and hearing, and is very 

 quick to perceive and escape danger. 



With the possible former exception of the Black Rat, no 

 other mammal has been able to effect so strong, though 

 uninvited, an alliance with man as the House Mouse. Few 

 articles of human food come amiss to it, and few houses in 

 Britain resist its invasion or refuse it shelter. It makes its 

 home in all sorts of recesses, behind skirtings, beneath flooring 

 and hearths, in cupboards, bookcases, church organs, piano- 

 fortes, and pther heavy articles of furniture. It is mainly 

 nocturnal in its habits, visiting hearths, tables, and larders 

 in search of food ; yet it not infrequently steals out of its 

 hiding-place during quiet moments of the day. When present 

 in small numbers mice do little harm, and their graceful 

 movements by the fireside often compensate us for such 

 damage as they cause. When the colony is a large one, 

 however, they occasion much loss and annoyance ; gnawing 

 their way through woodwork and plaster, they sometimes cause 

 considerable damage to property and fixtures ; in the library 

 they nibble away the margins of books, but, not finding ink 

 palatable, they usually refrain from the text ; articles of 

 clothing and leather goods of all kinds may be attacked ; 

 holes are bitten in tablecloths and napkins where spotted by 

 grease; and in the larder they attack every available food. 



