THE FAUNA OF WOOL, NEAR WAREHAM. 177 



Squirrel. {Sciurus vulgaris.) This elegant little animal is very abundant ; 

 but they have sad enemies in the woodmen, who say they do a great deal of 

 damage to the j^oung trees, eating away the leading shoots. They never ap- 

 pear to form an article of food about here ; but, in many parts of France, 

 are reputed a great delicacy; and they are often to be seen exposed for sale, 

 in great numbers, at the poulterer's shops in Hungerford and Leadenhall 

 markets. 



Dormouse. {Myoxiis avellanarius.) Common ; and does not appear to be 

 the subject of such exterminating persecution as many other animals. 



Harvest Mouse. {Mus messorius.) It seems extraordinary, that an animal 

 so abundant and so injurious, should so long have escaped the obsei'vation 

 of Naturalists, and that it should have been left to that acute observer, 

 Gilbert White, to have introduced it into our Fauna. In old corn ricks it 

 frequently appears more numerous than the common mouse ; but one pecu- 

 liarity I have observed, that dogs will catch but not eat them. 



Long-tailed Field Mouse. {Mus sylvaticus.) Frequently met with in the 

 woods, where they climb bushes and trees, in search of nuts, acorns, &c. 



Common Mouse. {Mus imisculus.) By far too frequent visitors to be con- 

 sidered desirable. 



Black Kat. {Mus rattus.) Like the ancient Britons, whose remains are so 

 abundant in this country, this animal has been nearly exterminated by the 

 invader, the Norman or Brown Rat, {M, decumanus). I have heard of one 

 being killed at, or near Wareham, but unfortunately cannot now recall who 

 was my informant ; it is not unfrequently met with at Bath. 



The Brown Rat. {Mus decumanus.) No place and no substance seems 

 tabooed to these destructive animals ; whether in corn rick, hen roost, or 

 turnip field, this, originally foreign importation, seems equally mischievous ; 

 and Beetle's Vermin Killer appears to them merely a pleasant stimulant. 



Water Vole. {Arvicola amphibia.) Without having had an opportunity of 

 personally examining specimens, I think it may be pronounced indigenous, 

 from having seen it, or a similar animal, not unfrequently take to the water,, 

 diving and swimming, and remaining a considerable time. 



Field Vole. {Arvicola agrestis.) The Rev. W. Kendall found a single dead 

 specimen, in the road, a short distance from this village. 



Common Hare. {Lepus timidus.) From their great abundance often inju- 

 rious to both cereal and root crops, and often producing an abundant crop 

 of Jail Birds. 



Rabbit. {Lejms cuniculus.) In addition to the common gray variety, black 

 is not an uncommon colour ; more rarely, a pale, fulvous yellow ; and in one 

 warren, near East Lulworth, a blue, or slate-coloured variety. 



Red Deer, {Gervus elapJius,) is now extinct; but an extract from Coke's 

 Survey of Dorsetshire, will show that, at a comparatively recent date, they 

 were to be found. " At the first entrance into the island," {i. e. Purbeck.) 



