No. 572] NOTES ON MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE 487 



On June 25, 1912, a female Zapus Hudsonius was taken 

 alive, by the writer, on the edge of a small pond in eastern 

 Massachusetts. It was placed in a small wire cage, and 

 after a few frenzied efforts to escape, became quite tame. 



On July 5 it gave birth to five young, blind and hairless ; 

 but when the family was transferred to a larger cage, the 

 mouse deserted the young and they soon died. One dis- 

 appeared mysteriously, and may have been eaten by the 

 mother. The young measured at birth: total length 33 

 mm. ; tail 9 mm. ; hind foot 4 mm. 



Throughout the summer the mouse ate chiefly rolled 

 oats and shredded wheat, and was also very fond of straw- 

 berries and blueberries. It refused most of the common 

 fruits and vegetables. 



It was almost wholly nocturnal in its activity, although 

 when disturbed during the day it would immediately begin 

 to eat and remain active for half an hour or more. 

 Toward the latter part of the summer, it seemed to grow 

 quite fat. Ehoads 12 says in this connection : 



When going into winter quarters they are exceedingly fat, as I can 

 testify from experience in removing this tenacious yellow blanket from 

 the skins of them. This fat is their fuel. By spring it is nearly gone. 



During the latter part of August there were several 

 very cool nights (49° F. minimum) and on the night of 

 August 28 it did not come out. This fact was apparent 

 from the clean drinking dish, which was placed in such a 

 position that the mouse could not approach without scat- 

 tering saw-dust in it. The absence was repeated on Au- 

 gust 30, and September 1. Throughout September its 

 actions were irregular. Every night until the 21st, with 

 the exception of the 12th and 17th, it was active, but on 

 the 22d disappeared for four nights. It was then active 

 for two more nights (26 and 27) and following that, 

 inactive for six (September 28 to October 3). From Oc- 

 tober 4 to 28 it was out every night, although not as vigor- 

 ous as formerly, neither did it eat as much. When ap- 

 proached it seemed to pay no heed, as if in a sort of 

 stupor. 



12 S. N. Rhoads, "The Mammals of Pennsylvania and New Jersey." 



