. Bulletin. Animals -- United States; Birds -- United States. 16 AN ECONOMIC STUDY OF FTELD MICE. coarser materials outside, but compact and of finer stnflf within, each having a small opening on the side near the bottom. From this opening two or more trails diverge, one usually leading into an underground tunnel which opens at some distance from the nest. Nests intended to receive the young are lined with the softest of accessible materials, often w4th pappus of milkweed (Asclepias) or cat-tails (TypJia). Such nests are sometimes hidden under grass, brush, or other litter, but more frequently
. Bulletin. Animals -- United States; Birds -- United States. 16 AN ECONOMIC STUDY OF FTELD MICE. coarser materials outside, but compact and of finer stnflf within, each having a small opening on the side near the bottom. From this opening two or more trails diverge, one usually leading into an underground tunnel which opens at some distance from the nest. Nests intended to receive the young are lined with the softest of accessible materials, often w4th pappus of milkweed (Asclepias) or cat-tails (TypJia). Such nests are sometimes hidden under grass, brush, or other litter, but more frequently are placed in imderground burrows. The normal number of young varies from four to eight, the average being about six. The trails of meadow mice are interesting subjects for study. The animals take advantage of all sorts of shelter, especially that which is close to the ground. Under fallen leaves and weeds the trails become half tunnels. Even in the open meadow they are often entirely hidden under old grass, and their presence would hardly be. PiQ. 1.—Nests, l)arrows, and trails of Microtus pennsylranicu>i. <i. Surface trails: h, opening to burrows: r. unrtergrounrl tTinnels : n, surface nest: ))', underground nest. suspected from any surface indications. Under the favoring shelter of piles of weeds, grass, or other litter the trails made by the ani- mals are usually more intricate than elsewhere. The accompanying sketch (fig. 1) was made from trails and nests uncovered by removing a pile of weeds. The rapidity with which meadow mice work is surprising. If the nest is destroyed they choose a new site and construct a new nest of fresh materials in a single night. They work both night and day, but are especially active in the evening and early morning. They are less active in the middle of the day, especially in sunlight. When disturbed in their homes meadow mice rush about with great celerity; but in sunlight especially they do not see well, and are almost as liable to
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