Ground Vermin Habits of the Hedgehog. 421 



and while in some parts it is exceedingly common, having 

 but slight notice taken of it, in others, through various 

 causes, it is quite a rarity, and regarded with curiosity 

 and interest when captured, which rarely takes place 

 except in the gamekeeper's traps, when, of course, it is 

 more or less injured. 



The hedgehog is essentially nocturnal in its habits, 

 and in its natural state invariably retires from the search 

 for food and other occupations as the sun rises, nor does 

 it again come forth from its hiding as well as sleeping 

 place until the dusk of evening is deepening into night, 

 when it goes in search of prey, which is generally said 

 to consist almost entirely of insects. Its legitimate food 

 should therefore be beetles, and the various other similarly 

 constituted creeping things which are found for the 

 most part above the earth, together with grubs, w r orms, 

 and those insects which it is able and likes to dig out 

 from beneath the surface, while bees and ants are also 

 asserted to be worthy of mention in this category. The 

 hedgehog is also affirmed, whether rightly or wrongly, to 

 consume a variety of vegetable provender, such as roots, 

 haws, crabs, and other wild fruits. This is, however, but 

 one side of the question ; and, whatever may be the 

 causes which induce the hedge-pig to make its meals 

 on animal substances, the fact remains that it is addicted 

 to the capture and eating of many of the furred and 

 feathered proteges of the gamekeeper. 



There is no sort of game which the hedgehog cannot 

 catch, and, having caught, consume, and moreover, with 

 no inconsiderable avidity. But chiefly is it an enemy to 



EC* 

 b, 



