This animal is very much like the common mouse. Its colour is a tawny
red, the throat white, the tail tufted. When it is thirsty it does not
lap, but dips its fore feet, with the toes bent, into the water, and
drinks from them. In the summer this curious little creature is very
industrious, laying up its provision for the winter, which consists of
nuts, beans, and acorns. As soon as the cold weather approaches, it
rolls itself up into a ball, with its tail curled over its head between
its ears, and continues in that state till the warm weather comes again.
[Illustration:
THE DORMOUSE.
]
Dormice build their nests either in the hollows of trees, or near the
bottom of thick shrubs, and line them with moss, soft birchens, and
dried leaves. Conscious of the length of time they have to pass in their
solitary cells, they are very choice of the materials they make use of.
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