[ 130 1 



cell containing their neft, fometimes with callow 

 young, but more frequently the half-grown progeny 

 were gone off with the old pair to the extremity of 

 their runs. To avoid what might be deemed a 

 puerility of defcription, I fhall remark in point, 

 that on one fide of their avenue, in a larger fpace 

 than where their neft was formed, there is ever to 

 be found, if we fought for it, a refervoir of corn : I 

 think I diftindly remember having nearly filled my 

 hat with this treafured provifion. 



The lately adopted mode of husbandry has a 

 certainty in unfettling, but not reducing the number 

 ofthefe corn-devourcrsi a means fomewhat fimilar 

 to this boyifh amufement mud be adopted to prevent 

 their ravages. By the prefent mode of hufbandry 

 their dwelling is broken in upon, but its inhabitants 

 continue; when the plough breaks in upon their 

 runs, they have a long period before it croffes the 

 extremity of the fpace, when they muft neceffarily 

 faliy; and it fhould fecm they more generally poflefs 

 themfelves of the newly fown fields of wheat, where 

 .they fill new magazines with its grain,* fecure from 



» In the intermediate period from the exhaufting of this cora, 

 I have reafon to believe their fubfillence is acorns and beech mafts, 

 having found, on the margin of a corn field, carried deep into the 

 earth, a confiderable quantity of the former ; and laft year had the 

 mortification of obitrving, in a piece of land dropped with acomi^ 

 alraoft every hole opened during a few nights. 



deilrudion 



