HEDGEHOGS. 319 



comes to an untimely end by a too close approach to the kitchen stove for the sake 

 of warmth. A hedgehog kills a snake by inflicting a series of bites, and quickly 

 assuming the defensive when threatened with attack. That eggs are largely con- 

 sumed by these animals is proved by the readiness with which they are caught 

 in traps thus baited. On account of such depredations, as well as from their 

 destructiveness to young birds, they are much persecuted by gamekeepers. There 

 is, moreover, at least one instance on record of a hedgehog having attacked a young 

 leveret, which it would doubtless have despatched had it not been interrupted. 

 Hedgehogs venture forth from their hiding - places in hedges, coppices, or 



THE COMMON HEDGEHOG ( nat. size). 



shrubberies during summer, as soon as the dews of evening commence, and may 

 be detected devouring worms or other prey on moonlight nights. A worm is 

 eaten slowly by being seized by one extremity, and turned from side to side of 

 the mouth, while it is being chewed by the sharp cheek-teeth ; much the same 

 process taking place in the case of a snake. 



Although properly nocturnal in their habits, they may occasionally be met 

 with searching for food during the day; and it has been suggested that on 

 such occasions they are driven to depart from their ordinary habits by the necessity 

 of procuring a sufficient supply of food for their young, which are usually 

 produced during the months of July and August, and are said not to exceed 

 four in a litter, although it was formerly considered that the number might be as. 



