58 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX.
a rule, does so. It probably takes a prolonged sleep ; but,
be the weather ever so cold, I have always found a Squirrel
on the move, when it is properly looked for.
Family MYOXIDAE.
Genus MYOXUS, Schreber.
Myoxus avellanarius, Linn. Dormouse,
The Dormouse occurs in those parts of Essex where the
oak and hazel abound, and where there is sufficient woodland
or overgrown hedgerow to protect it. It was formerly very
common on the roadside at Berechurch ; but, after the severe
winter of 1860, the numbers were greatly diminished. During
that winter, I found many nests in the bushes containing dead
occupants.
South of the river Stour (that is, on the Essex side),
Dormice are everywhere to be found on the higher ground
above the meadows ; but, on the north or Suffolk side, they
appear to be unknown from Shotley until Long Melford is
reached, where again they are not rare.
Mr. Rope gives (Zool., 1885, p. 201) the range of this
species in Britain. Its distribution seems as unaccountable as
that of the nightingale.
This creature is one of the best examples of a hybernating
quadruped in the country. As a rule, I think the winter sleep
is taken underground, the bush nest not being used for that
purpose. This may frequently be found deserted. If the
mouse is disturbed in its bush nest, it is extraordinarily quick
in its movements among the twigs, thus forming a strong
contrast to the apparently sluggish creature usually seen in
confinement. Its food is very similar to that of the Squirrel,
but I have occasionally taken them licking up the " sugar " I
had placed on tree trunks for the purpose of attracting moths
at night.