The Fauna. 59 



active in running about a house. When cold weather 

 sets in they hide themselves, and hibernate, according 

 to hereditary habit, in any secluded corner where they 

 are not likely to be disturbed. We have known one 

 thus lost in a garret for a couple of months ; and it 

 was only when the weather became mild that he was 

 heard running about, and so discovered. 



The Mole is found here, as he is found generally 

 throughout Scotland. With the exception of proving 

 himself a troublesome neighbour to farmers, by throw- 

 ing up earth and thereby destroying grass and grain 

 crops, he is a most inoffensive creature. He is, more- 

 over, not without some actual redeeming points, as 

 nature has given him a commission to kill and keep 

 down worms and beetles that might be otherwise pre- 

 judicial. He does not hibernate like the hedgehog, 

 but his excursions are less frequent during winter. 

 There are few if any animals more sensitive to vibra- 

 tion than the mole. 



Stoats and Weasels — the latter in considerable 

 numbers — are still to be found in the district. In 

 the spring and summer of 1888 we collected five 



