MICE 
HEN properly cared for, the ordinary 
house mouse makes an amusing pet; 
but the little white-footed mouse 
of the woods is, on the whole, more 
ie interesting and agreeable. The 
house mouse is wonderfully adapted 
for a successful life. The thin, velvety ears are wide 
open for catching any sound; the eyes are keen, andthe 
nose is long and inquisitive, and always sniffing for 
new impressions. The whiskers are delicate and very 
sensitive. The gnawing teeth are very strong, 
enabling the mouse to gnaw through boards. At the 
first glance one wonders why the mouse should have 
such a long and scaly tail; if we watch our pet we 
.will find that it uses its tail in climbing up the 
sides of its cage, and will also twist it around its 
little twine trapeze when hanging to it with its hind 
feet. 
It is particularly interesting to watch a mouse 
clean itself. It nibbles and licks its fur, reaching 
around so as to get at it from behind, and taking hold 
with its little hands to hold it firm while being 
cleaned. When washing its face and head, it uses its 
front feet for a washcloth, and licks them clean each 
time after rubbing from behind the ears down over 
the face. 
Young mice are small, downy, pink, and are born 
blind. The mother makes for them a nice soft nest 
of bits of cloth, paper, grass, or whatever is at hand. 
The nest is ball-shaped, and at its center the family is 
cuddled. 
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