RUSTIC,, AND LITTLE MOUSE. 53 
I 
in cold weather. It inhabits the same countries* 
runs up trees* and fastens to the boughs with its 
tail. By the assistance of its slender fingers, it 
adheres to any smooth surface. It emits a weak 
note. It has a sharp nose* red at the point* like 
that of the former ; but smaller cars* brown and 
bristly at the points. Its tail is very slender* 
prehensile* and much longer than its body ; brown 
above* and white below. It has a dusky line also 
along the back. 
Rustic mouse. 
The rustic mouse has a sharp nose* an oblong 
head* small ears lined with fur. Its colour is 
ferruginous above* whitish beneath. Above each 
hind foot* it lias a dusky circle. It is of a less 
size than the field mouse. Its tail is only half the 
length of its body. It is found in Germany* in the 
temperate parts of Russia, in villages and corn 
fields* and in the woods of Siberia. In Russia* 
it is called the corn mouse. At times they migrate 
in vast multitudes* and destroy the whole expec- 
tations of the farmer. In 1763 and 1764* this 
plague made great ravages in the rich country 
about Casanand Arsk. They came in such num- 
bers* as to fill the very houses ; and* through 
hunger* became so bold as to rob the tables of 
bread* before the faces of those who had sat down 
to eat it. At the approach of winter* they all 
disappeared. 
They burrow* and form their retreats but little 
below the surface. 
•Little mouse. 
The little mouse* the least of the genus* weighs 
not half a dram. It accompanies the former spe- 
