12 



FANCY illCE. 



generations, and excepting a slight loss of size, no harm whatever 

 accrues from this practice. 



The combinations of colours must be left to the fancy of the 

 breeder, but in all cases bright, showy, and effective combinations 

 should he obtained if possible, A good selection of matched pairs is 

 very effective, and at the same time valuable : and when in good con- 

 dition, are as pretty animals as can be wished for. 



In breeding ordinary white mice, one buck and six does may 

 run together ; and these should, of course, be the finest examples to 

 be had, so that the produce shall be good and of a nice size. Small 

 mice do not look well, neither do they sell well. 



In breeding, pairs, or any number of does up to six, can run with 

 the buck, and should a promiscuous stock of coloured mice be 

 required — and sometimes good things are originated in this way — 

 let the does be of different colours and the buck a different colour to 

 the does. By this means a large variety of mixed colours can be 

 had with a small stock. 



The young animals should not be paired until they are three 

 mouths old, or perhaps older, as it then allows of their full develop- 

 ment, and the produce will be finer, well repaying for the time of 

 waiting. Mice will, however, breed at six weeks old, but we have 

 generally found the progeny to be very weak. 



When the doe takes to the nest she should not be disturbed or 

 looked at for a fortnight, by which time the young ones are able to 

 take care of themselves. When the young mice appear outside the 

 nests a few crushed groats should be given them, and continued for 

 ten days or so, when they will go on with oats. The doe goes about 

 twelve days with young. 



In no case should the mice be too crowded, or they assume a rough 

 appearance and soon die ; not more than six or seven should be kept 

 in one cage, and cleanliness should be most scrupulously attended to. 



ENEMIES AND AILMENTS. 



In a wild state mice are troubled with not a few enemies. Owls, 

 stoats, weasels, hawks, cats, &c., are all fond of mice, and if it were 

 not for their great fecundity, they would soon be extinct. In the 

 case of house mice, the only animal that is antagonistic to their wel- 

 fare is the cat, and were it not for the rather too trustful habit of 

 the mice, cats would have but a poor chance with them. Poison is 

 another and most powerful enemy of the mouse, but then the victims 

 retaliate by going into inaccessible places to die ; and the stench 

 they — or rather their bodies — produce stands them in good stead 

 against poisons, phosphorus perhaps excepted, as mice poisoned by 



