MEADOW MOUSE., AND HAMSTER. 
63 
with eight or more passages. They are always 
found either in pairs, or with a family. They rare- 
ly appear in autumn: but swarm in the spring. 
They are said to migrate, or change their place in 
autumn, or to conceal themselves among the 
bushes ; and in winter to shelter themselves in hay 
ricks. They breed later than the other kinds ; 
feed much on tulip roots ; and are the prey of wea- 
sels, crows, and vipers. 
Meadow mouse. 
The meadow mouse or rat, the mus terrestris of 
Linnaeus, has a large head ; a blunt nose ; short 
ears hid in its fur ; prominent eyes ; and a short 
tail. The head and body are ferruginous, mixed 
with black ; its belly a deep ash colour ; its feet 
dusky ; its body is six inches long ; its tail one 
and a half, covered with hair, and tufted. 
It inhabits Europe. It is also found in great 
abundance in Newfoundland, where it does much 
mischief in the gardens. In England it makes its 
nest in moist meadows ; brings eight young at a 
time, and has a very great affection for them. It 
resides under ground, and lives on nuts, acorns, 
and corn. 
Hamster. 
The hamster is about the size of the brown or 
Norway rat ; but much thic 1 1 ” A A 1 
about three inches long. 
brown above, and black beneath ; but on each 
side of the body, there are three large oval white 
spots. The ears are rather large. On each side 
of the mouth are two receptacles for food ; which, 
wheri empty, are so far contracted, as not to ap- 
pear externally ; but when filled, they resemble & 
