THE WOOD MOUSE 



Wood Mice, not differing from the typical British form, as well as 

 other races, are found over the greater part of Europe. 



Throughout the British islands this species has a widespread distribution, 

 and various local races, showing more or less some difference in size and 

 colour, have been differentiated to such an extent that almost every 

 island off the west coast of Scotland, as well as the Shetlands and Fair 

 Isle, appear to have their own race of Field Mouse. 



The Wood Mouse inhabits fields, hedgerows, gardens and woodlands, 

 as well as districts devoid of trees, and even the seashore. 



Though nocturnal in habits, it may sometimes be seen by day, and, 

 as like other mice it seems to be short sighted, it may often be watched 

 at close quarters when the observer remains still. Being an excellent 

 climber it obtains much of its food, especially in autumn, among the 

 branches of various hedgerow bushes and trees, such as the hawthorn, 

 wild rose, and others on whose fruit it feeds. Old nests of birds are 

 often used by the mice as platforms or tables on which they place their 

 food, and when these are not conveniently at hand I have seen large 

 collections of the red pulp and empty seeds of hips left on the ground. 

 These are usually nipped off whole and carried to the dining table, 

 though I have noticed the rinds left on the trees with the seeds only 

 removed. 



The Wood Mouse is very destructive to crocus and other bulbs in 

 flower beds, and also eats insects and at times even the flesh of its 

 own kind. 



The female breeds several times in the year, and produces from about 



four to six young at a time. 



Sometimes the nursery, consisting of a domed nest made of grasses, 

 is placed above ground, but more often it is built inside a burrow. 

 Though this species does not appear to hibernate in winter, it prepares 



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