HEDGEHOGS. 319 
o 
comes to an untimely end by a too close approach to the kitchen stove for the sake 
of warmth. A hedgehog kills a snake by inflicting a series of bites, and quickly 
assuming the defensive when threatened with attack. That eggs are largely con- 
sumed by these animals is proved by the readiness with which they are caught 
in traps thus baited. On account of such depredations, as well as from their 
destructiveness to young birds, they are much persecuted by gamekeepers. There 
is, moreover, at least one instance on record of a hedgehog having attacked a young 
leveret, which it would doubtless have despatched had it not been interrupted. 
Hedgehogs venture forth from their hiding - places in hedges, coppices, or 
THE COMMON HEDGEHOG (3 nat. size). 
shrubberies during summer, as soon as the dews of evening commence, and may 
be detected devouring 
eaten slowly by being seized by one extremity, and turned from side to side of 
worms or other prey on moonlight nights. A worm is 
the mouth, while it is being chewed by the sharp cheek-teeth; much the same 
process taking place in the case of a snake. 
Although properly nocturnal in their habits, they may occasionally be met 
with searching for food during the day; and it has been suggested that on 
such occasions they are driven to depart from their ordinary habits by the necessity 
of procuring a sufficient supply of food for.their young, which are usually 
produced during the months of July and August, and are said not to exceed 
four in a litter, although it was formerly considered that the number might be as 
