FOOD OF CARNIVORA AND INSECTI\ OUA 83 



English woods lives on much smaller fare, rabbits being the princifjal 

 item in its menu, as can be proved by examining the droijpings, which 

 are invariably full of rabbit fur. From the same source will be obtained 

 evidence that many other things are not to be desi)ised, down even 

 to grubs and insects. It is often astonishing the number of beetle wings, 

 or rather wing-cases, that will be found in the excrement, the hard 

 elytra having passed through undigested. The fact is that a fox will 

 eat many unexpected things, from beetles, frogs and fish, to even fruit. 

 It has a liking for sweet things, and I knew a tame fox that would do 

 anything for jam. There is undoubtedly some foundation for the fable 

 of the fox and the grapes. Foxes are also very fond of mice, in particular 

 the short-tailed meadow voles, which are so plentiful in long grass. 

 They will watch for and pounce upon them, often killing numbers; 

 indeed, the successful stalking of field mice seems to be the first step 

 in the education of the cubs, when they begin to learn their profession 

 as hunters. 



Of the marine carnivora the seal eats fish, but its ally the 

 walrus, of which there is only one species, and that only found 

 around the Arctic regions, consumes molluscs, as readers of 

 Alice Through the Lookifig-Glass will recall: 



*'0 Oysters, come and walk with usl" 



The Walrus did beseech. 

 "A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk. 



Along the briny beach : 

 We cannot do with more than four, 



To give a hand to each." 



"I weep for you," the Walrus said: 



"I deeply sympathize." 

 With sobs and tears he sorted out 



Those of the largest size. 

 Holding his pocket-handkerchief 



Before his streaming eyes. 



As their name again imphes, the Insectivora, hedgehogs, 

 shrews and moles, live on insects, but the mole and the hedge- 

 hog will eat leaves, and, as is stated above, the former will 

 consume its own weight of earthworms in the course of 

 twenty-four hours. The desman hves in burrows, in banks and 

 feeds on water insects. Its hind feet are webbed and its tiiil 

 is flattened. Water-shrews, common enough in England and 

 Scotland, will feed on the flesh of larger animals when they 



find them dead. 



6-a 



