MAMMALIA 
170 
“ In the year 1796, a particular species of Mouse made its appear- 
ance at Burlington-Bay, on the west end of Lake-Ontario, and at 
Long-Point, on the north side of Lake-Erie. They came out of the 
woods, from the northward, in troops of thousands, and committed 
great havoc among the Indian-corn. 
“ These animals were so numerous, that, for a good while, they 
were caught by hundreds, at a time. It is said, that the cats, tired 
of killing them, came, at length, to play with them, without offering 
them any injury. 
“ Even in the winter-time, the corn-cribs were extremely offensive, 
from the great numbers of these mice, that had perished in them. 
“ This mouse is described as a small species, smaller than the com- 
mon House-Mouse ; with a white belly, and a very long tail. The 
general colour was that of the House-Mouse.” * 
Hesperomys as a Vocalist. 
Mr. W. O. Hiskey, in a note in the American Naturalist for May, 
1871 (Vol. V, No. 3, pp. 1 71-172) states : “ I was sitting a few even- 
ings since, not far from a half-open closet door, when I was startled 
by a sound issuing from the closet, of such marvellous beauty that I 
at once asked my wife how Bobbie Burns (our canary) had found his 
way into the closet, and what could start him to singing such a queer 
and sweet song in the dark. I procured a light and found it to be a 
mouse ! He had filled an over-shoe from a basket of pop-corn 
which had been popped and placed in the closet in the morning 
Whether this rare collection of food inspired him with song I know 
not, but I had not the heart to disturb his corn, hoping to hear from 
him again. Last night his song was renewed. I approached with 
a subdued light and with great caution, and had the pleasure of see- 
ing him sitting among his corn and sinking his beautiful solo. I 
observed him without interruption for ten minutes, not over four feet 
* The Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal, Vol. I. 1804. pp. 31-32. 
