Fauna of Glenoairn. 169 



worms, and beetles. It is often found lying dead without any 

 trace to account for its death. 



Water Shrew {Sorex fodieus). 



Is peculiarly adapted for water existence by reason of stiff 

 cilia to the sides of toes and under surface of tail. It feeds on 

 insects and fresh water crustaceans, and may be observed working- 

 amongst stones in shallow streams. It is a pretty object to see 

 with its little broad body so hunting in deeper water. It cannot 

 be said to be common in this district. 



Lesser Shrew '^Sorex pygmaus). 



It may be recognised by its diminutive size and a few minor 

 points of difference of structure, as compared with the common 

 shrew. 



COMMOX Mole {Talpa europaea). 



This is another of our fauna that is known to all, more by 

 the little mounds of earth it puts up than by the animal itself, 

 unless that be a dead one, as it is not everyone who has seen a 

 live Mole. When above ground it is about as much from home 

 as a fish is out of water. Worms, slugs, beetles, and the larvae 

 of the last-mentioned comprise its diet, although it has been noticed 

 to seize small birds feeding in its mounds. 



Hedgehog {^Erinaceus europaeus). 



Though a good deal persecuted this animal keeps up its 

 numbers, and on a summer evening it may be seen hunting much 

 more rapidly than most would suppose for slugs, insects, etc. 

 They also eat egg?: and kill snakes — according to popular belief 

 by seizing the snake by the tail and rolling into a ball, allowing 

 the snake to beat itself to death on its prickly spines. The young- 

 are a pinky white, and the soft spines gradually darken as they 

 grow older and stiffer. 



The true explanation is the greater resistance of the blood of 

 the Hedgehog against snake poison and other poisons. 



I Common Bxt {Vespemgo pipistrella). 



This, the smallest and best-known British Bat, is fairly 

 common. As a rule, it hawks about shady glades and edges of woods 

 towards dusk, though occasionally one may be seen either in the 



