244 THE HAZEL. 



off the bark from the young branches, and checks the 

 growth of the trees by destroying the leading shoots. As 

 soon as the kernel of the nut begins to swell, it makes 

 this its principal food, and from July to October enjoys 

 many a dainty repast. So eager is it in its search after 

 nuts, that it will resort to trees growing close to dwelling- 

 houses, and unless scared away (which is no easy task) 

 will appropriate a large proportion of the fruit to its own 

 use. If it only attacked the ripe nuts, its ravages would 

 be limited, and perhaps be compensated by the activity 

 and intelligence displayed in its movements; but as it 

 sets to work from six to eight weeks before the nuts are 

 ripe, and destroys more than it actually devours, its share 

 in the produce is more than an equitable one. The 



HAZEL-NUT. 



annexed woodcut represents a bunch of nuts which has 

 been visited by a dormouse. The depredator does not 

 waste his strength by cutting through the stem, but 

 having first nibbled away the husk, gnaws a hole through 

 the shell, and extracts the kernel piecemeal. If the nut 

 should happen to fall off before it is consumed, he does 

 not take the trouble to descend in quest of it, but begins 

 upon another, and proceeds until his appetite is satisfied. 

 Not unfrequently a nut falls in his way the kernel of 



