THE DORMOUSE . 
489 
The total length of this animal is rather more than eight inches, of which measurement the 
tail occupies three inches. The general color of its fur is gray, deeply tinged with red 
upon the back, and becoming white upon the abdomen. Below the eye is a patch of black 
fur, which extends nearly to the ears. The tail of the Lerot is covered with short black 
hair, changing rather abruptly into white at its extremity. It has derived its title of Garden 
Dormouse from its annoying habit of entering gardens and making sad havoc of the choicest 
fruit ; f or it is an animal of great taste, and 
makes its selection among the ripest and 
best fruits with an accuracy of judgment 
that may be highly agreeable to itself, but 
is sincerely execrated by the owner of the 
garden. It is particularly fond of espalier- 
trained fruit-trees, and is much given to 
devouring the peaches when they are just 
in their bloom of rosy perfection. 
The Lerot is not content with making 
these autumnal raids upon the gardens, 
but is sufficiently provident to lay up a 
store of food for the winter, and for that 
purpose to carry off corn, peas, and beans 
in no small quantity. Its winter nest is 
made in some convenient recess, where six 
or eight Lerots congregate, and pass the 
cold wintry months in a slumber which is 
almost unbroken, except by the needful 
occasional wakings for the purpose of tak- 
ing food. In summer time it makes a 
temporary nest in hollow trees, holes in 
old walls, or in similar localities, and 
reposes during the daytime upon a bed 
of dried grass and leaves. Sometimes it 
is so bold that it will make its way into 
human habitations, and establish itself in 
the very home of the justly incensed owner 
of the garden. 
The young Lerots enter upon their 
existence in the middle of summer, and grow with wonderful rapidity. They do not, 
however, become parents in their turn until the following year. The average number of 
young Lerots which are produced at a single birth is from four to six. 
The common Dormouse is abundantly found in many districts of England, as well as on 
the Continent, and is in great favor as a domestic pet. 
The total length of this pretty little animal is rather more than five inches, the tail being 
two inches and a half long. The color of its fur is a light reddish-brown upon the back, 
yellowish-white upon the abdomen, and white on the throat. These tints belong to the adult 
animal only, as in the juvenile Dormouse the fur is nearly of the same color as that of the 
common mouse, the ruddy tinge only appearing on the head and sides. It is not until the 
little creatures have nearly completed a year of existence that they assume the beautiful 
hues of adult age. The tail is thickly covered with hair, which is arranged in a double row 
throughout its length, and forms a slight tuft at the extremity. The head is rather large in 
proportion to the body, the ears are large and broad, and the eye full, black, and slightly 
prominent. 
The Dormouse is a nocturnal animal, passing the whole of the day in its warm and neatly 
constructed nest, which is generally built in the mos f retired spot of some thick bush or small 
LOIRE. OR FAT DORMOTJ SE. — Myoxus glis. 
