. The popular natural history . Zoology. 136 THE THE MOUSE.—{Mils M-iisculus.) and is a very much more educatable animal than could be supposed. It will obey its master's commands with promptitude, and has been known to learn very curious tricks. For further information on this subject the reader is referred to a work published by Messrs. Routledge and Co., entitled "The Rat," by James Rodwell, in which may be found an elaborate account of the animal and its habits, together with much curious and original information. " Y' little vulgar MOUSE," as it is quaintly ter
. The popular natural history . Zoology. 136 THE THE MOUSE.—{Mils M-iisculus.) and is a very much more educatable animal than could be supposed. It will obey its master's commands with promptitude, and has been known to learn very curious tricks. For further information on this subject the reader is referred to a work published by Messrs. Routledge and Co., entitled "The Rat," by James Rodwell, in which may be found an elaborate account of the animal and its habits, together with much curious and original information. " Y' little vulgar MOUSE," as it is quaintly termed by old Topsel, is a truly pretty little creature, with its brown-grey back, grey throat and abdomen, soft velvety fur, its little bright black bead-like eyes, and squirrel-like paws. A detailed description of so familiar an animal would be quite unneces- sary, and we will therefore proceed to its habits and manners. Like the rat, it frequents both town and country, doing an infinity of damage in the former, but com- paratively little harm in the latter. In the country it attaches itself mostly to farmyards, where it gains access to the ricks, and, when once firmly established, is not so easily dislodged as its larger relative the rat. However, if the rick be kept under cover, the Mice cannot make any lengthened stay, for the cover keeps off the rain, on which they chiefly depend for drink, and they are then obliged to leave the stack in search of water. If the rick be placed on staddles, it will then be safe from these little pests. They are odd little animals, and full of the quaintest gamesomeness, as may be seen by anyone who will only sit quite still and watch them as they run about a room which they specially affect. They are to the full as inquisitive as cats, and will examine any new piece of furniture with great curiosity. The Mouse is a marvellously prolific animal, producing its young several times in the course of the year, and at a very early age. The nests ar
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
