404 GLEANINGS. 



it concealed itself again in the dried rubbish under which it ran, 

 uttering its grasshopper-like chirp all the while. I now had my " eyes 

 about me," and remaining as perfectly still and motionless as though I 

 had been but an overhanging tree, I watched and listened attentively 

 Not many seconds had elapsed before there came another, a second, a 

 third ; but to sum up, I do not think I shall exceed the limits of truth, 

 if I say that there at length came the thirtieth of these creatures, and 

 all from the same direction, and uttering the same cry as they jumped 

 in their fluttering style one after another over my foot (which rested 

 upon the bank), and then betook themselves to the same path as the 

 leader did. Some of them, however, halted in their career at the sight 

 of my foot, and then it was that I got a correct view of them, and was 

 somewhat surprised to find that the objects of my attention were 

 nothing more nor less than mice of a thick bulky form, with blackish 

 backs and light coloured bellies, and abruptly terminated tails ; but 

 one individual, which I had nearly succeeded in catching, was of a 

 beautiful sleek fawn colour above and white beneath, and was in every 

 respect an elegant little creature. In a short time they returned from 

 the opposite direction, and coming out with more caution from their 

 run, as it is termed, they first took a reconnoitring peep ; but observing 

 me perfectly motionless, they at length collected round my foot to 

 satisfy their curiosity, and were so desirous of removing it (for as it rested 

 upon their run, it intercepted their regular course), that two or three 

 of them had actually commenced nibbling the leather of my boot. As 

 fate would have it, however, I sneezed, and thus frightened this in- 

 teresting group, which in a moment was dispersed in different directions, 

 yet I still kept my quiet position, not doubting but that in a few 

 minutes, when their fears had subsided, they would again return. It 

 was not long before they did as I expected, but they came in a less 

 regular order, some arriving from one quarter and some from another, 

 and again they reconnoitred, but, as I moved not, they appeared un- 

 apprehensive of danger. They had re-assembled round my boot, when 

 I, who now felt anxious to capture a specimen, dashed my hand among 

 them, endeavouring, but without success, to grasp one. It was with no 

 better effect that I hit about with a stick in every direction in which I 

 heard them running, for the purpose of disabling or killing one as a 

 specimen, that its name might be ascertained. I waited some time 

 afterwards, until it grew dusk, yet, as I neither heard nor saw anything 

 of them subsequently to my attack upon them, I retired from the spot, 

 but well pleased with this singular occurrence. 

 July, 1833. 



