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The little book of British quadrupeds cover

The little book of British quadrupeds

Chapter 39: THE DORMOUSE.
By W. May
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About This Book

A compact collection of short, plainspoken entries on a wide range of four-footed animals found in Britain, from large livestock and working horses to wild carnivores and small rodents. Each entry summarizes physical traits, typical habits, habitat, and interactions with people, and often notes practical uses of animal parts alongside brief illustrative anecdotes about temperament or performance. The work compares breeds and working capacities, offers concise natural-history observations about diet and behaviour, and presents information in an accessible, utilitarian style for general readers interested in familiar quadrupeds.

THE DORMOUSE.

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.

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.