A HISTORY OF WORCESTERSHIRE 



means rare on the near parts of the Cottes- 

 wolds, where it finds safe harbourage in the 

 fissures in the oolite quarries, of which there 

 are many, as well as in the adjoining parts of 

 Oxfordshire. 



21. Otter. Lutra lutra^ Linn. 

 Bell — Lutra vulgaris. 

 In 1834 Sir Charles Hastings mentioned 

 the otter as occurring in the Teme and some 

 other small streams in Worcestershire, but not 

 in the Severn. It still haunts the Teme and 

 its tributaries, probably in increased numbers, 

 and since the Avon has ceased to be a navi- 

 gable river has become comparatively com- 

 mon in that stream. In streams of the size 



and depth of the Avon otter hunting is not 

 practicable, and it is not likely therefore 

 that the animal will be exterminated, or 

 indeed much reduced in numbers. In the 

 tributaries, where the otter is not rare, there 

 would be a much greater chance of successful 

 pursuit. One of these feeders of the Avon, 

 the Stour, falling into that stream near Strat- 

 ford, passes through the outlying part of 

 Worcestershire at Shipston, where it is fre- 

 quented by the otter. The otter by no means 

 confines itself to fish and has been on several 

 occasions killed when it has left the river and 

 sought out poultry. It is said that a favourite 

 article of its diet are eels, but while it doubt- 

 less takes them when it can catch them it 

 seems to be generally carnivorous. 



RODENTIA 



22. Squirrel. Sciurus leucourm, Kerr. 



Bell — Sciurus vulgaris. 

 Of this pretty denizen of the woods and 

 coppices I need only say that it is still common. 



23. Brown Rat. Mus decumanus, Pallas. 

 Nothing more need be said of this omni- 

 vorous and cannibal species than to observe 

 that it is only too plentiful, is a thorough pest 

 and appears to be increasing. 



24. Black Rat. Mus rattus, Linn. 



Some years since a number of rats of this 

 species were taken at several places more or 

 less near to the Worcestershire Avon at a 

 time when that stream was navigable ; the 

 supposition being that they were brought from 

 the docks in Gloucester in barges laden with 

 corn. That supposition gains support by the 

 disappearance of the black rat from the same 

 places since the navigation of the Avon has 

 ceased. Sir Charles Hastings mentions this 

 animal as occurring at Wick near Worcester 

 and a few farmhouses in the county. It 

 however seems of recent years to be almost 

 if not quite exterminated by the brown rat, 

 no specimens having been taken at Upper 

 Wick for some years. 



25. House Mouse. Mus muscu/us, Linn. 

 Too troublesome as well as too abundant to 



be dwelt upon. 



26. Wood Mouse or Long-tailed Field Mouse. 



Mus sylvaticus, Linn. 

 A very pretty creature with large black eyes, 

 large rounded ears and a long tail. It is com- 

 mon in the fields and gardens, sometimes doing 

 in the latter place considerable damage by 



consuming the early planted peas. Occasion- 

 ally this mouse will enter buildings and even 

 dwellings, and has been captured in the cellar 

 of a farmhouse, where it had eaten nearly the 

 whole of the inside of a cheese. The nest 

 for the reception of the young, as well as for 

 winter quarters, is usually a burrow of its own 

 construction, and as it is by no means in- 

 frequently turned up by the plough, it may 

 probably be the mouse which has been im- 

 mortalized by Burns, if indeed it is an Ayr- 

 shire creature. The present species is very 

 easily tamed, and when kept in confinement 

 is very gentle, evincing no disposition to bite 

 when handled, as I can affirm from personal 

 observation. 



27. Harvest Mouse. Mus minutus, Pallas. 

 Formerly more abundant in the valley of 



the Worcestershire Avon than at present. It 

 is most commonly found in cornfields, more 

 especially wheatfields, in which its symmetrical 

 and beautiful nest is occasionally seen sus- 

 pended amongst the stems of wheat. When 

 reaping machines were unknown, the long 

 stubble after han'est was cut by the scythe 

 and put into small heaps called cocks, and 

 beneath them the little harvest mouse was 

 often found, as well as sundry shrews, long- 

 tailed field mice and voles. A harvest-mouse 

 which was kept in captivity for some time by 

 the author and fed principally on hempseed, 

 changed from the usual yellow to a deep rich 

 chestnut colour. 



28. Water Vole. Microtus amphihius., Linn. 



Bell — Arvicola amphihius. 

 It is common in all our streams, streamlets 



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