Counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine, 387 



on the outer margin near the base ; cheeks tumid ; space about the eyes 

 rather bare ; a small tubercle bearing a tuft of longish hairs above the 

 eyes ; fur rather long, dense, soft, deep reddish-brown above, of the same 

 tint, or pale beneath ; young dusky above, not much lighter beneath. 



Of the habits of this species, as observed in Aberdeenshire, I have 

 nothing to say, it being impossible to distinguish it on wing from 

 Vespertilio Daubentonii. In 1819 I found a specimen in Corby 

 Den, Maryculter. Mr Leslie has in his collection a specimen said 

 to have been found in Aberdeen. I have also seen it at Peterhead 



and Banff. 



ORDER INSECTIVORA. 



The Insectivora have the feet adapted for running, sometimes also for 

 digging and swimming; several small molar teeth; large molar teeth 

 with angular points ; incisors, if present, thin-edged ; canine teeth large, 

 oblique, generally compressed. Six species have been observed with 

 us ; one belonging to the Erinaceina, four to the Soricina, and one to 

 the Talpina. 



Fam. Erinaceina. — Two large canine teeth above, two below, with- 

 out incisors ; several small molar teeth, and several larger, with sharp 

 tubercles, in both jaws ; limbs short, all five toes ; claws strong, arched ; 

 tail very short ; body covered above with prickles, and capable of being 

 contracted into a globose form. 



Gen. Erinaceus. — Head oblong, muzzle pointed; eyes of moderate 

 size ; ears broadly rounded ; anterior claws large. 



1. Erinacens Europceus. European Hedgehog. 



Ears very short, rounded ; prickles of moderate length, yellowish- 

 grey in their lower half, brownish-grey in the upper, with the tip pale; 

 lower parts with yellowish-grey stiff hairs, mixed with brownish-grey 

 woolly hairs. 



Although twenty years ago of very rare occurrence, or confined 

 to particular tracts, the hedgehog is now generally dispersed over 

 the district, being found in all the lower parts, from the coast to 

 the highland valleys of the interior, in many places in great abun- 

 dance. It is especially plentiful along the Dee, as at Ballater, Ban- 

 chory, and about Aberdeen, as well in the parishes on the Don. In 

 some parts of Formartine it is also abundant, and of late years has 

 extended, more or less, over the greater part of Buchan. In the 

 New Statistical Account of the Parish of St Fergus, it is stated 

 that, about 1834, before which it was not known in the district, it 

 was discovered in St Fergus, on the farm of Nether Hill ; and in 

 that of Banff it is observed, that, of late years, several instances of 

 its occurrence in the parish have been known, although it was un- 

 known there at no distant period. It is probable enough that the 

 alterations which have taken place in the country, and especially the 

 increasing shelter of woods, may have given rise to this extension. 

 With us it frequents thickets and other sheltered places, reposing 

 by day in some crevice or concealed corner, or among whins or 

 other shrubs, and searching by night for its food, which consists of 

 slugs, snails, worms, larvae, and insects. In the beginning of winter, 

 it forms a large nest of leaves and grass in some sheltered and con- 



