67 



BIRCH MOUSE. 



Mus Betulinus. M. cauda longissima mdiuscula, corpore fulvo, 

 fascia dorsali nigra, aii^riadis plicatis. Lin. S^/st, Nat, Gmel» 

 p. 131, 



Fulvous Mouse, with black dorsal band, plaited ears, and very 

 long naked tail. 



This is so nearly allied to the Mtis mgus that 

 it might almost pass for the same species, or at 

 least for a variety, but is still smaller than that 

 animal, and scarcely exceeds two inches and a 

 quarter in length ; the tail being at least three 

 inches, or longer in proportion than in the former. 

 It inhabits the birch woods of Siberia, living in 

 the hollows of decayed trees. Like the former, it 

 is of a tender nature, and soon becomes torpid in 

 cold weather. In ascending the branches of trees 

 it is observed to coil round the twigs with its tail, 

 in the manner of an opossum. Dr. Pallas has 

 often observed it ascending the stems of some of 

 the stronger grasses, which were scarcely bent 

 with its weight. He also kept several of them a 

 considerable time, which grew very tame, and de- 

 lighted in being held in the hand. This species 

 is of a rufous ash-colour above, and of a pale ash 

 colour beneath, and along the back is a dusky 

 line : the nose is pointed, and red at the tip : the 

 ears small, brown, and bristled at the ends, and 

 the limbs weak and slender. 



