Dormouse

a sort of field mouse. The white-footed mouse of America is sometimes called a dormouse. The common dormouse of Europe is a wood mouse with a pointed muzzle, large eyes, and a bushy tail. It builds nests of leaves and grass in tangles of undergrowth, which it enters by an opening at the top. Its favorite food is acorns, hazelnuts, and the like. In winter time it sleeps for several weeks, hence the name, akin to dormant-mouse, or sleeping-mouse. An allied species frequenting fruit gardens is called the "garden sleeper" by the Germans. See Mouse