MOLES. S7 



four or five young are born at the same time, which 

 begin to get their own food when they are half grown. 



Like all voracious animals, moles require a large 

 quantity of water; consequently their run, or fortiess, 

 generally communicates with a ditch or pond. Should 

 these dry up, or the situation be without such resources, 

 the little architect sinks perpendicular wells, which re- 

 tain the water as it drains from the soil. 



Moles shift their quarters according to circumstances, 

 and as they swim well, they migrate across rivers ; and 

 in a sudden inundation are able, not to save themselves 

 alone, but their young, to which they are much attached. 

 The stratagem and caution which they practise in order 

 to secure a bird are highly curious. They approach 

 without seeming to do so ; but as soon as they are 

 within reach of their prey, they rush upon it, tear open 

 its body, thrust their snout into the intestines, and revel 

 in their sanguinary feast. They then sleep for three or 

 four hours, and awake with renewed appetite. 



All mole-catchers will bear testimony to the rapid 

 movements and consequent difficulty of catching these 

 animals. I have watched a gardener stand for half an 

 hour by one of the little hillocks of loose earth, which 

 from its movement showed that the mole was there at 

 work, and remain motionless, spade in hand, and when 

 he saw the earth shake, dash his weapon into the heap. 

 The mere uplifting of his arm was sufficient, and before 

 the spade could reach the ground the mole was gone. 

 He could scarcely reckon on securing his victim once 

 out of twenty efforts. 



No moles are found in the north of Scotland, or in 

 Ireland, which some attribute to the soil and climate :, 

 but they exist in other parts of Europe under similar 

 circumstances. 



