THE MA:MMALIA of DORSETSHIRE. 2g 



that the Black Rat still survived in some of the oil stores and 

 granaries of the town of Poole. Sec "Proceedings of Dorset 

 Field Club," Vol. IX., p. xxxix. 



Brown Rat, Mtis dccwnanus. 



This is the worst and most destructive animal we have. 



Genus ARVICOLA. 



Water Rat, Arvicola amphihiiis. 

 Common enough on the banks of streams. 

 Short-tailed Field INIouse, Arvicola agrcsiis. 

 Common and generally distributed. 

 Red Field Mouse or Bank Vole, Arvicola glareolus. 

 Lulworth is the only locality I have noted for this species, but 

 it is probably not uncommon in other parts of the county. 



Family LEPORID^^:. 

 Genus LEPUS. 



Hare, Lcpus timidus. 



This is much less common in many parts of the county than it 

 used to be, owing to so many having been caught by lurcher 

 dogs belonging to various dealers travelling on the highways. 

 The hare makes a very clean and interesting pet. The poet 

 Covvper had three, each of which had a different temper and 

 disposition. But however tame a hare may be in the house and 

 lick its owner's face, the wild nature returns to it more tlian to 

 any other animal out of doors, and it goes away, never to return. 

 The hare, cat, and shrew-crop were noted animals in witchcralt, 

 and reputed witches were supposed to have the power to turn 

 into hares and vice versa at will. An old woman in Pulham was 

 supposed to adopt the form of a hare at times. One day a hare 

 had a leg broken by a blow from a stick ; the next day the old 

 woman was found in bed with a broken leg. Another hare, which 

 was pursued by dogs, managed to gain her cottage, changed 

 into an old woman, shut the door, and defied them to enter. 



Rabbit, Leptis ciinicidus. 



Rather too common in some parts of the county. 



