A HISTORY OF WARWICKSHIRE 



was equally common at one time over the 

 large fishponds at Coughton Court near Alces- 

 ter. Mr. J. Steele Elliott records its occur- 

 rence at Sutton Coldfield. 



8. Whiskered Bat. Myotis mystacinus, 

 Leisler. 



Bell Vespertillo mystacinus. 

 Common and frequenting the foliage of 



tall trees, which it penetrates through and 

 through in pursuit of insects, which appear to 

 be taken while resting on the leaves. Its 

 flight in the intricacies of foliage is remark- 

 ably quivering, and unlike that of any other 

 British bat. So far as the writer has observed 

 it returns to rest and to hybernate in buildings 

 rather than trees, indeed he has never met 

 with it in the latter situation. 



INSECTIVORA 



9. Hedgehog. Erinaceus europ<eus y Linn. 



The hedgehog is too well known in the 

 county to require special observation. It 

 might however be mentioned that one kept 

 as a pet and which was very docile had a 

 very decided liking for hens' eggs, and would 

 consume those which were in the very last 

 stage of decay with as much relish as fresh 

 ones. 



10. Mole. Talpa europtea, Linn. 



The abundance or the reverse of the mole 

 in any district depends entirely on the assidu- 

 ity of the mole-catcher. There is no doubt 

 however that with the decadence of agricul- 

 ture it has materially increased, and in many 

 places is now abundant, as may be seen from 

 the number of hills it throws up. 



11. Common Shrew. Sorex arancus y 



Linn. 



A common and generally distributed species, 

 which varies much in colour, the upper parts 

 being sometimes nearly black. 



12. Pigmy Shrew. Sorex minutus, Pallas. 



Bell Sorex pygm<?us. 



Much less abundant than the common 

 shrew, to which it bears considerable resem- 

 blance, except in size and in being always of a 

 lighter colour. It appears to be very local in 

 its distribution, indeed the writer has met 

 with it only in the valley of the Avon. 



13. Water Shrew. Neomys fodiens, Pallas. 



Bell Crossopus fodlent. 



Not rare in the valley of the Avon, where 

 it frequents the low lying meadows. It is 

 also found in the wet ditches and rills of the 

 higher ground, subsisting on small crustaceans, 

 which are abundant in such places. It will 

 also feed on the dead body of an animal or 

 bird, as the writer has determined from 

 personal observation. 



The so-called oared shrew is a variety only 

 of the water shrew, in the summer or 

 seasonal dress of that species. In the winter 

 the contrast between the black colour of the 

 back and the white of the under parts be- 

 comes again clearly defined. 



CARNIVORA 



14. Fox. Vulpes vu/pes, Linn. 



Bell Vulpes vulgaris. 



An animal which is common or rare accord- 

 ing as it is preserved for hunting or destroyed 



as vermin. 



15. Polecat. Putorius putorius, Linn. 



Bell Mustela putorius. 



Formerly not rare in the county, though it 

 had become uncommon so long as half a 

 century since. It is very doubtful whether 

 it now occurs, as there is no recent and well 

 authenticated instance of its appearance. Some 

 so-called polecats which the writer has seen 

 were undoubtedly brown ferrets which had 

 escaped, and closely resembled polecats. 



1 6. Stoat. Putorius ermineus, Linn. 



Bell Mustela erminea. 

 Though less abundant than the weasel, 



the stoat is common and generally distributed. 

 It is a bold and wild creature with a good 

 deal of dash, and when hunted by dogs will 

 take across country, keeping however as much 

 as possible within cover and out of sight. 

 Occasionally, when it has become white and 

 is very conspicuous, it may be seen to pass 

 through hedge and over ditch for two or 

 three fields length without check or hesita- 

 tion. The stoat is also an adroit climber, 

 and will ascend the upright bole of a tree to 

 reach the nests of birds almost after the man- 

 ner of a squirrel. 



17. Weasel. Putorius nivalis. Linn. 

 Bell Mustela vulgaris. 



Common and generally distributed, feeding 

 chiefly on field mice and voles, and also on 

 young rabbits and birds. There is some 



210 



