92 COMMON BRITISH ANIMALS 



must begin feeding at tlie nose to effect liis purpose ; 

 for it is clear/^ says Mr. Eunciman, '' from the con- 

 formation of the worm^ that only in this way could 

 the trick be done.'^ 



Moles do not hibernate like the hedgehog. They 

 generally live at a deeper level during winter to 

 avoid the frost. But sometimes in clayey soils which 

 become very stiff and unworkable the mole will make 

 a long run quite visible on the surface, possibly for 

 the purpose of getting water, or for changing the 

 position of his fortress. Occasionally, but very rarely, 

 a mole may be seen hunting on the surface for worms. 

 They are very fond of water, and all observers of 

 moles pronounce them to be adept swimmers. One 

 can realise the force of their forepaws in water. 



Moles are said to fall victims to the owl, buzzard, 

 stoat, weasel, badger and fox, but as a superstition 

 says that a mole has but one drop of blood, it would 

 seem that the stoat and weasel get little for their 

 pains. There are many folk stories and superstitions 

 about the mole. The hand of a mole is carried in 

 the pocket as a sure cure for cramp. In the north 

 of England the mole is called the ^^mouldiewarp'* or 

 earth-turner, while in the west it is called the ^Svant," 

 and in the midlands, " hoont " or '^ woont.'^ 



• Opinion differs as to the usefulness of the mole. 

 There can be no question that in the fields and pas- 

 tures he is a very valuable assistant to the observant 

 and diligent farmer, who works with his friend. He 

 certainly eats another friend of the farmer, namely, 

 the earth-worm, but he also devours his enemies in 

 the shape of wire-worms, leather jackets, cockchafer 



