4 



60 talpa; or, remarks ox the habits of the mole. 



and approach the surface ; on the contrary, in very dry 

 weather few mole-hills are to be seen, as the animal has 

 then to go deep in the earth after its food. Hillocks rise 

 up in all directions in the meadows where Moles abound, 

 when there is likely to be a change of weather. It was my 

 lot, at one time, to own and occupy a little property, bounded 

 on the north by very extensive woods, where Moles were 

 numerous. If they had been satisfied to remain in these 

 woods they would have been harmless ; but they migrated 

 down into the cornfields and meadows, where there was a 

 good depth of soil, and therefore their favourite hunting- 

 ground. I have mentioned how active these creatures are 

 when there is a prospect of change of weather, and I have a 

 note in m}^ diary that on January 26th, 1858, I shot nine 

 Moles. I recollect that once also I shot eleven Moles in one 

 day. My neighbours, who were great sportsmen, were 

 very incredulous about my shooting them. Great caution 

 is required, in order to approach with noiseless steps to the 

 molehill, as the hearing of the animals is so very acute ; 

 and it is useless to shoot unless at the moment the earth is 

 seen to rise. 



Moles spoil much grass, and are mischievous in mowing 

 grass. They are also injurious to agriculture, because they 

 dig amongst the cultivated plants, raising up the young 

 wheat and barley after it is sprouted ; and although they 

 do not feed on the roots of vegetables, yet they cut them in 

 making runs and passages. Mole-hills are also very un- 

 sightly. 



When returning from Dingle to Tralee, in Ireland, last 

 year, my fellow-traveller, who belonged to the latter town, 

 was a gentleman who had a taste for natural history, and 

 amongst other things said that there were no Moles in 

 Ireland. Although I had travelled so often and so much in 



