THE GERBOA. 157 
cylindrical in shape, and tufted at its extremity with stiff black hairs, the 
extreme tip being white. ; 
The Gerboa is a burrowing animal, and lives in society, so that it forms 
large natural “ warrens” in those parts of the country where it takes up its 
residence. [It is much hunted by 
the natives, who set some store 
by its rather unpalatable flesh, and 
is captured by stopping up as many 
burrows as can conveniently be 
reached, and killing the Gerboas 
as they rush affrighted from the 
open entrances. ‘This is, indeed, 
almost the only successful mode 
of capturing these fleet and agile 
creatures ; for if they can once leap 
away from the immediate vicinity 
of their pursuers, they scour over 
the ground with such wonderful 
speed that they can hardly be 
overtaken even by a trained grey 
hound. 
The food of these animals con- 
sists chiefly of roots and similar substances, which it digs out of the earth, 
but it also feeds on various kinds of grain. 
NEXT in order to the Gerboas is placed the small group of animals which 
are sufficiently familiar by the name of DORMICE. This term signifies 
“Sleepy Mouse,” and is most appropriate to the lethargic little creatures, 
which spend the greater part of their time in somnolency. 
The common DORMOUSE is abundantly found in many districts of England, 
as well as on the Continent, and is in great favour as a domestic pet. The 
total length of this pretty little animal is rather more than five inches, the 
tail being two inches and a half long. The colour of its fur is a light reddish 
brown upon the back, yellowish white upon the abdomen, and white on the 
throat. These tints belong to the adult animal only, as in the juvenile 
Dormouse the fur is nearly of the same colour as that of the common mouse, 
the ruddy tinge only appearing on the head and sides. It is not until the 
little creatures have nearly completed a year of existence that they assume 
the beautiful hues of adult age. The tail is thickly covered with hair, which 
is arranged in a double row throughout its length, and forms a slight tuft at 
the extremity. The head is rather large in proportion to the body, the ears 
are large and broad, and the eye full, black, and slightly prominent. 
The Dormouse is a nocturnal animal, passing the whole of the day in its 
warm and neatly constructed nest, which is generally built in the most 
retired spot of some thick bush or small tree. It is a very active little 
creature, leaping from branch to branch, and traversing the intricate mazes 
of the brushwood with such ready featness that it can scarcely be taken by 
a human hand. The food of the Dormouse consists of various fruits and 
seeds, such as acorns, nuts, haws, and corn, : 
As the animal is one of the hibernators, it is in the habit of gathering 
together a supply of dried food, to afford occasional nourishment during the 
long wintry months when it lies in its bed, imprisoned in the bands of irre- 
sistible sleep. Like many other hibernating animals, the Dormouse becomes 
exceedingly fat towards the end of autumn, and is therefore enabled to 
withstand the severity of the winter season better than if it retired into its 
home in only its ordinary condition, As soon as the weather becomes cold, 
