76 A DESCRIPTION OF 
number of enemies, among which are the cat, the hawk 
and owl, the snake and weasel, and the rat himself, 
though not unlike the mouse in his habits and shape. 
The mouse is one of the most prolific of animals, some- 
times producing seventeen at a birth, but it is sup- 
posed that the life of this small inmate of our habitations 
does not extend much further than three years. This 
creature is known all over the world, and breeds wherever 
it finds food and tranquillity. There are Mice of various 
colours, but the most common kind is of a dark, cinereous 
hue : white Mice are not uncommon, particularly in Sa- 
voy and some parts of France. 
A remarkable instance of sagacity in a long-tailed Field 
Mouse, occurred to the Rev. Mr. White, as his people 
were pulling off the lining of a hot-bed, in order to add 
somefresh dung. From the side of this bed somethingleaped 
with great agility, that made a most grotesque appear- 
ance, and was not caught without much difficulty. It 
proved to be a large Field Mouse, with three or four young 
ones clinging to her teats by their mouths and feet. It was 
amazing that the various and rapid motions of the dam did 
not oblige her litter to quit their hold, especially when it 
appeared that they were so young as to be both naked and 
blind. The same author appears to be the first to describe 
and accurately examine that diminutive creature the Har- 
vest Mouse, the least of all the British quadrupeds. He 
measured some of them, and found that from the nose to 
the tail they were two inches and a quarter long. Two 
of them, in a scale, weighed down just one copper half- 
penny, about the third of an ounce avoirdupoise ! Their 
nest is a great curiosity. 
