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Harvest mice and Nest.
Note on the Harvest-mouse. A short time since, whilst reading an account of the harvest-mouse (Mus messorius), having met with a statement to the effect that this interesting little animal was peculiar to Hampshire, the following observations on its habits and localities may perhaps prove interesting to some of your readers. This, the smallest of British quadrupeds, was, I believe, first noticed by that acute observer and most charming describer of Nature, White of Selborne. From his notice of it, and its abundance in Hampshire, may have arisen the statement that it is peculiar to that county. Such, however, is not the fact, as I have observed it commonly in Kent and also in Cambridgeshire; and it is probably very generally to be found throughout England.[1] I have at different periods kept harvest-mice in cages, in order to observe their habits more closely. They are easily tamed, but never lose a certain degree of shyness. I have never yet been able to get them to breed in captivity. A short time since I had three in a cage; they showed no disposition to fight, and would eat before
- ↑ Professor Bell says it has also been found in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Devonshire.—British Quadrupeds, p. 300.—Ed.
