io 4 THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



that the Fox is often unjustly blamed for ravaging poultry yards 

 when the responsibility lies on the farmer for not keeping his birds 

 safely housed at night. Where this precaution is taken the Fox 

 necessarily turns his attention to Field Mice, Rabbits, Ground 

 Squirrels and insects, to the great benefit of the farmer. Of course, 

 cases arise in which it is necessary to keep down the number of 

 predaceous mammals in certain localities, but judicious thinning out 

 is advocated rather than extermination." 



That the Hedgehog has more than a passing liking for the 

 eggs of Partridges and Pheasants has been conclusively proved to 

 me by the large number I have seen caught in traps which have 

 been set close by the nests of these two birds, but it must be 

 remembered that the eggs of these game birds are only to be 

 obtained during a few weeks of Spring and Summer, and some 

 other food must then be sought for. Thus we may leave the dietary 

 of this member of the Insectivora, and give consideration to other 

 parts of its story. 



As Figs. 76 and 77 show, this is a well-armoured beast and 

 entitled to inclusion in the present section. It is only a small 

 animal, attaining a length of some ten inches. The legs and feet 

 are short and stumpy, and it is remarkable to notice, in view of the 

 bulky spine-covered body, that the Hedgehog can travel at a rapid 

 rate when it is once on the move. Having found one in a hedgerow 

 bottom snugly tucked up, secure from frost-bite and cold, pick it 

 up, if you can ! It is more easily said than done, for the spines 

 are exceedingly sharp, and to handle the creature successfully is 

 almost impossible. At least such is my experience. 



You may be tempted to carry the interesting beast home in a 

 pocket-handkerchief, but if you do, and are at all particular as to 

 the abundance of live stock you may harbour, my advice is, leave 

 the animal in its own wild fastness. It is simply alive with black 

 parasites, and I remember on one occasion my handkerchief was 

 a perfect sight, peopled as it was with thousands of small parasites, 

 which seem to leave the Hedgehog's body in a swarm. I have 

 had somewhat similar experience with Wild Rabbits, for they, too, 

 are largely infested with parasites during life. I have noticed with 

 interest, however, that as soon as the body of the dead Rabbit 

 becomes cold, the parasites make haste to leave it and seek the 

 body of a living rodent upon which they may again pay attention. 



Parasites are worthy of study, and have not been accorded 



