harvest mouse
A very small species of mouse (Mus messorius, or Micromys minutus), which builds its nest in the stalks of growing grain; it is the smallest of British quadrupeds, being just over 2 inches in length.
| 1812 Pennant's Zool. I. 149 heading, Harvest Mouse. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 505/1 The Harvest Mouse. White, of Selborne, who suggests the name of Mus minimus, appears to be the first who drew the attention of naturalists to this the smallest of British quadrupeds. 1849 Sk. Nat. Hist., Mammalia IV. 67 The harvest mouse is insectivorous as well as granivorous. |