ITS ANIMALS. 79 



larded and there are no tall branches in which to take 

 refuge, it has sadly diminished, and is now rarely seen. 

 As the pollarding has now been stopped, it is to be 

 hoped that it will recover the position which its beauty 

 and pretty manners deserve. As acorns and beech-mast 

 abound, it will not suffer for want of its winter store. 



Otter. Two of these animals were killed by the Lea near 

 Chingford in 1881. 



Water Rats abound in the Ching, and are frequently found 

 in the Forest ponds. 



Dormouse. This pretty little rodent is easily tamed and 

 made a pet of. In winter he lies in a state of profound 

 torpor in the middle of a mass of grass, which appears 

 to have been woven without a seam, and \\hich must be 

 torn open to find the owner, so that it is difficult to dis- 

 cover how he finished the fabric after getting inside. 

 When found in this state he can only be awakened by 

 baking him in front of the fire. He derives his name 

 from this enviable capacity for sleep. I believe this to 

 be the culprit who annually gnaws the heart of the 

 young shoots of some of my chestnut trees, and litters 

 the ground with them. 



Long-tailed Field Mouse. A beautiful but mischievous little 

 animal, who is fond of gnawing the bark of young trees 

 and rooting up bulbs. In the Forest he is in clover 

 among acorns and beech-mast. 



Short-tailed Field Mouse. A larger mouse than the last 

 named, though he resembles him in habit, and is equally 

 destructive, especially to peas, beans, and crocus roots. 



The Hedgehog passes most of his time in hiding, lying up in 

 some dry ditch or hole. He never leaves his retreat by 

 day, and, being then generally covered by the leaves and 

 grass which adhere to his spines, he is seldom seen imless 

 a dog discovers him by scent. The late wanderer in the 

 Forest may, however, catch a glimpse of him in the 

 twilight, quartering the ground like a well-trained setter, 

 and seeking his food by the help of his nose. During 

 winter he hybernates in a torpid state. 



Water Shrew. "This elegant little animal is aquatic in its 

 habits, frequenting clear fresh water ditches and brooks. 

 It swims and dives with great address. I have seen one 

 swim across a pond in the Forest." — ^J. L. E. 



Common Shrew. Is very gregarious. ' ' I have seen at least 

 a dozen, on a fine summer evening, gamboling together 

 among the dead leaves when all is still. At the least 

 movement they hide themselves in their burrows." — 

 J. L. E. 



