Volume 22, Plate XXVI / Mammalia (Mammals)

Wood Mouse, or Long-Tailed Field Mouse

Mus sylvaticus

A very beautiful little creature resembling the domestic mouse in form and size but distinguished by its reddish-brown colour, white underparts meeting abruptly on the sides, and more elongated tail, with a yellowish breast-spot. Dwelling in thickets, hedges, cornfields, and gardens, it feeds on seeds, acorns, nuts, and insects, lays up winter stores in burrows without becoming torpid, bears five to eight young several times yearly, and is easily tamed though preyed on by owls and weasels.