JUMPING MOUSE. 
255 
examination very difficult, we have been able to decide, as we think, that 
the tail is not used by the animal in its surprising leaps and rapid move- 
ments. 
The domicil of the Jumping Mouse in summer, in which her young are 
produced, we have always found near the surface, seldom more than six 
inches under ground, sometimes under fences and brushwood, but more 
generally under clods of earth, where the sward had been turned over in 
early spring, leaving hollow spaces beneath, convenient for the summer 
residence of the animal. The nest is composed of fine grass, mixed with 
which we have sometimes seen feathers, wool, and hair. 
We are, however, under an impression that the Jumping Mouse in winter 
resorts to a burrow situated much deeper in the earth, and beyond the in- 
fluence of severe frosts, as when fields were ploughed late in autumn, we 
could never obtain any of this species. It may be stated as a gener- 
al observation, that this animat is a resident of fields and cultivated 
grounds ; we have, however, witnessed two or three exceptions to this 
habit, having caught some in traps set at night in the woods, and once 
having found a nest under the roots of a tree in the forest, occupied by 
an old female of this species with three young two-thirds grown ; this 
nest contained about a handful of chestnuts, which had fallen from the 
surrounding trees. 
It is generally believed, that the Jumping Mouse, like the Hampster of 
Europe, {Cricetus mdgaris), and the Marmots, {Arciomys), hibernates, and 
passes the winter in a profound lethargy. Although we made some 
efforts many years ago, to place this matter beyond a doubt by personal 
observation, we regret that our residence, being in a region where this 
species does not exist, no favourable opportunity has since been afforded us. 
Naturalists residing in the Northern and Middle States could easily 
solve the whole matter, by preserving the animal in confinement through 
the winter. 
To us the Jumping Mouse has not been an abundant species in any 
part of our country. Being, however, a nocturnal animal, rarely seen 
during the day unless disturbed, it is in reality more numerous than is 
generally supposed. We have frequently caught it in traps at night in 
localities where its existence was scarcely known. 
This species, feeding on small seeds, does very little injury to the farmer ; 
it serves, like the sparrow, to lessen the superabundance of grass seeds, 
which are injurious to the growth of wheat and other grains ; it is fond 
of the seeds of several species of Amaranthus, the pigweed, {Ambrosia), 
burr-marygold, beggar or sheep ticks, {Bidens), all of which are regarded 
as pests, he therefore should not grumble at the loss of a few grains of 
