54 
('. Sasaki. 
liorizontally by arraiif^ing rcs^ularly the grain bearing,'' end of each ear on the 
same side so as nearly to fill the chamber. 
Generally a sint^Ie nest is constructed at one spot, but sometimes more 
are found. The interior of the nest is always very clean and free from dusts 
or excrements. 
On the surface of the tjround below which a nest lies, usually open one 
or more holes, and in the case of the nests formed beneath the inclined 
surface of dykes, boundaries &c., the holes are not far removed from the 
nest, and open always more or less below the level of the nest so as to avoid 
the entrance of rain water. If the nests are constructed below the inclined 
surface as stated above, the particles of soils will flow out from the holes on 
the same surface. When the particles of soils look fresh, the mice are 
almost always present in the nest, while if not fresh they are usually absent, 
thus we can easily judge of the presence or absence of the mice by the 
appearance of the particles. 
In winter, there may be found several individuals in a single nest ; but 
during the breeding season, it is most probable that a single pair inhabits a 
single nest. 
In capturing the mice, if we dig out the nest slowly, it is always very 
difficult to find them, for by their acute sense of hearing, they will soon 
notice the approach of men, and escape through the tunnels running out 
from the nest. But after having located the nest, let several persons dig out 
the ground around the nest at the same time at a distance of a few feet from 
the latter so as not to allow their escape through the tunnels, then the mice 
can be easily captured. 
The pairing season of the mice is not yet accurately known, but they 
seem to breed several times during the warmer months of the year. They 
are herbivorous in habit, but when starved they do not hesitate to devour 
their weaker and inactive mates. 
