FRAGMENTS. 385 



same way, as they are very numerous on our moors, 

 where I have sometimes shot them to my dog's point. 

 Many keepers declare that they destroy the eggs of 

 game; but I rather think an adder would be puzzled 

 either to break them or bolt them whole. Hedgehogs 

 both suck the eggs, and even devour the very young 

 birds. It is therefore probable that their depredations 

 are often laid to the charge of the adder. My brother's 

 gamekeeper had a pheasant's nest full of eggs consumed 

 by one hedgehog. Expecting to find the bird sitting, 

 he was surprised to count only six out of fourteen eggs. 

 Next day there were only two. He therefore set a trap 

 and caught the robber, a large hedgehog. In the High- 

 lands, however, hedgehogs are rather scarce. Not so in the 

 Lowlands. I seldom went out partridge-shooting, either in 

 Selkirkshire or East Lothian, without my dogs coming to a 

 dead point at one of those bristly balls ; and in the former 

 county I took six out of the same hibernaculum of turnip 

 leaves. Such numbers must do serious injury to the preserves. 



THE Norway rat is another formidable enemy to game, 

 but does not so much frequent the fields till the grain is 

 ripe. The little patches of corn which skirt Kilmun Moor 

 are chosen resorts of these destructive creatures. The 

 indefatigable terrier may then be seen digging at a burrow 

 for half a day ; while stealthy puss, in the twilight, more 

 sure of carrying her point by guile, sits patiently watching 



2B 



