WEASEL— HEDGEHOG— SHRE W-MOUSE 



55 



incapable of rolling up their bodies. When born they are almost naked, and their 

 spines are quite soft but harden in the course of a few days. The nest is carefully 

 made, and always in a place well sheltered from rain. Hedgehogs, though silent 

 as a rule, will occasionally utter a low shrill growl. They take a long winter 

 sleep, rolling themselves up in a ball, in a nest of moss and leaves. 



The shrew-mice (Soricidce) form the second European family of the 

 Shrew-Mouse. . x ' r ' 



insect-eaters, ihe family may be identified by the form of the two 



middle incisors, which in the upper jaw have a cusp on their hinder border, while 



those in the lower jaw are directed horizontally except at the tip. The members 



of the typical genus Sorex are mouse - like creatures, with slender bodies, 



long heads, and pointed muzzles ; short-haired, soft, velvet-like fur ; large ears 



directed backwards, and partly covered with hair on either side ; claws on all their 



THI-: HKWiEHOG. 



toes ; and a tail as long as the body, and clothed with hair up to the tip. Two 

 species inhabit western and central Europe. 



The common shrew-mouse (S. araneus), whose tail is rather shorter than its 

 body, is widely distributed in England, as well as in Europe, Asia, and North 

 America, although by many naturalists some of its local races are regarded as 

 distinct species. It lives chiefly on insects, worms, slugs, and snails: and is 

 characterised by a strong, unpleasant odour, which may deter other animals from 

 attacking it ; many are, however, killed and swallowed by owls. In the autumn 

 shrew-mice are often found dead in gardens, probably because at that time of year 

 they can find but little food. The common shrew-mouse hibernates in central 

 Europe and other countries of similar climate. 



The lesser shrew - mouse, otherwise known as the pigmy shrew - mouse 

 (S. minutus) is the smallest European mammal, having a total length of only 

 3| inches, including the tail, which is If inches in length. In colour it is brown 



