MOLE 



for tunnelling and digging. It also possesses a good 

 array of small sharp teeth, which enable it to success- 

 fully cope with its prey, and this consists of worms, 

 insects, mice, shrews, reptiles and frogs. 



As it works so hard as a navvy, small wonder it should 

 become thirsty. Thus, it is very fond of drinking, and 

 will, it is said, sink httle well-shafts in quest of a water 

 supply. 



Soon after the turn of the year, search may be made for 



the nesting-earth of the Mole. We find, as a rule, that 



this is placed underneath a bush or shrub, and it is much 



larger than the ordinary hillock of earth which is thrown 



up during excavations. We have recently examined 



several of these nesting-earths, as we propose to christen 



them, and have no hesitation in definitely stating that 



neither the central abode nor the nesting-place are in 



any way so elaborate in construction as the pictures in 



Natural History books would have us believe. The 



nest itself is composed of dead grass and other herbage, 



and is situate at the base of the " earth," a foot or so 



below the ground level. In this comfortable abode 



the five to seven young are sheltered. When quite 



babies, they are pale brown or grey in colour, with a 



pink-tipped snout. Like the Hedgehog, the Mole is a 



good swimmer, but, unless driven to do so by stress of 



circumstances, it does not take readily to water. Above 



ground it ambles along at a fair speed, but it can be 



easily captured, though it is with difficulty that its 



muscular body can be held in the hand. 



39 



