28 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



seen fewer 

 than three 

 or more 

 than six. 



Young 

 Hedgeho g s 

 are born 

 with their 

 eyes closed. 

 Their 

 spines are 

 white, as 

 shown in 

 the accom- 

 p a n y i n g 

 picture, and 

 fl exi ble . 



When quite young they are unable 

 to roll up into a ball of defence. 

 Hedgehogs in a wild, free state seldom 

 utter any kind of sound, but whilst try- 

 ing to escape from confinement they 

 frequently utter cries, which are difficult 



A VKBY YOUNG HEDGEHOG. 



to describe, but may be termed some- 

 thing between a grunt and a squeal. 

 Young ones that have missed their 

 mother call to her in a voice highly 

 suggestive of that of a bird. 



Although dogs appear to experience 

 considerable difficulty in killing a 

 Hedgehog, foxes and badgers seem to 

 slay it with ease, in spite of its 

 armour. 



The animal is said, on the authority 

 of gipsies, who cook it in a some- 

 what crude and curious manner, to 

 supply good eating. It is rolled up 

 inside a kind of clay dumpling, and 

 when this has been sufficiently baked 

 in a stick fire it is opened ; the spines 

 and skin of the Urchin adhere to the 

 hot clay, and the rest, like a kernel, is 

 ready for consumption. 



Hedgehogs do not readily take to 

 the water, yet swim with great ease and 

 expedition if thrown into it. 



