GNAWERS. d-J 



Mouse, the White-footed Mouse, the Field Mouse, and 

 the Jumping Mouse, are other kinds which are found in 

 the United States, but which cannot be described here 

 for want of room. For further description, seeTenncy's 

 Manual of Zoology. The Jumping Mouse, however, is 

 too interesting to be omitted. It is found over a large 

 part of North America, and is about three inches long 

 to the tail, which, in some instances, is even six inches 

 in length. Its color is vellowish-brown, lined with 



Fig. 94. — American |jmping Mouse. 



black, the lower parts white. It moves by very long 

 and rapid leaps. It is found in the meadows and 

 grain-fields. 



The Muskrat, mentioned above, is very common 

 about ponds, rivers, and brooks in North America. It 

 is a foot long, besides the tail, which is about as long 

 as the body, and the color is dark brown above and 

 rusty brown below. The fur is now sold under the 

 name of river sable. Muskrats build -winter houses of 

 mud, sticks, and grass, the entrance being beneath the 

 water, and leading to a dry apartment above. 



Porcupines. 



Porcupines are distinguished from all other Rodents 

 by their spines, or cjuills, which are very sharp. The 

 North American Porcupine is about two feet long. 



