45 o CHARACTER OF THE HEDGEHOG. 



pheasant had been killed on the previous day, but its death had been laid at the door 

 of the stoat. Earth and air thus seem to furnish their quota of nourishment for the 

 Hedgehog, which extends its depredations to the aqueous element, and displays a cul- 

 tivated taste for fish. So fond is this carnivorous creature of the finny tribe, that it 

 has been frequently caught in traps which have been baited with fish for the express 

 purpose of decoying the Hedgehog into their treacherous jaws. 



Whether in its wild state it is able to capture the little birds, is not accurately known, 

 but in captivity it eats finches and other little birds with great voracity. One of these 

 animals, that was kept in a state of domestication, ate no less than seven sparrows in the 

 course of a single night, and another of these creatures crushed and ate in the course of 

 twenty-four hours more than as many sparrow-heads, eating bones, bill, and neck with 

 equal ease. 



Its legitimate prey is found among the insect tribe, of which it consumes vast 

 numbers, being able, not only to chase and capture those which run upon the ground, 

 but even to dig in the earth and feed upon the grubs, worms, and various larvae which 

 pass their lives beneath the surface of the ground. A Hedgehog has been seen to 

 exhume the nest of the humblebee, which had been placed in a sloping bank, as is often 

 the case with the habitation of these insects, and to eat bees, grubs, and honey, unmind- 

 ful of the anger of the survivors, who, however, appeared to be but little affected by the 

 inroads which the Hedgehog was making upon their offspring and their stores. 



According to the generality of writers, among whom we may reckon Mr. White, 

 the immortalizer of Selborne, the food of the Hedgehog is not entirely animal, but 

 is varied with sundry vegetable substances, such as roots, haws, crabs, and other wild 

 fruits. Others, however, deny the vegetable diet of the Hedgehog. In the " Natural 

 History of Selborne," however, we find a very interesting account of the manner in 

 which the Hedgehog devours the roots of the plantain without injuring the leaves, by 

 grubbing with its snout, and biting off the stems so delicately that the leaves 

 fall untouched. The roots of grasses are also said to form part of the Hedgehog's 

 food. 



As might be supposed from the destructive tendency which is, on certain occasions, 

 so strongly developed in the Hedgehog, the animal is a determined fighter whenever it 

 engages in battle, and is capable of inflicting severe wounds with its sharp teeth and 

 powerful jaws. Should several Hedgehogs be confined in one spot, and a stranger be 

 admitted among them, the new-comer will assuredly be forced to fight for his position, 

 and, in all probability, will either kill one of his opponents, or will fall by the teeth of his 

 adversary. In either case the victor becomes a quadrupedal cannibal, and, not satisfied 

 with having destroyed his foe, proceeds to eat him. In such a case, the slain combat- 

 'ant is totally devoured, with the exception of the skin and its prickles, which remain as 

 a token of battle and a trophy of victory. 



All Hedgehogs are, however, not endowed with an equal amount of combativeness, 

 but are extremely different in their dispositions. Some are most gentle and retiring in 

 their habits, while others are savage and ferocious to a degree, and seem to be totally 

 devoid of fear, so that they will attack boldly any object which annoys them, perfectly 

 regardless of its character or its size. 



The Hedgehog has generally been considered as a dull and stupid animal, incapable of 

 being tamed, and mindful only of its own comfort. Such, however, is really not the case, 

 for when the animal meets with a kind and thoughtful owner, who will try to develop 

 the best feelings of the creature, it proves to be quite affectionate in its character, and 

 will display no small amount of fearless attachment to its master. It would, in all 

 probability, have been better appreciated had it not been, unfortunately, the object of 

 terror or detestation to those who are unacquainted with its habits, and who are 

 either alarmed at its prickly array of quills, or have imbibed certain prejudicial notions 

 concerning its harmful qualities. 



It has already been mentioned that the Hedgehog is fond of milk, but it would 

 hardly be imagined that the animal would condescend to partake of strong drink, and 

 that to such a degree that it would be reduced to a state of helpless intoxication. Such 

 however, is the case, as has been recorded by Dr. Ball of a Hedgehog which he possessed, 



