FRIENDS OR FOES? 213 



in a ball, in dead leaves and grass, under some hedge- 

 bank, or in the shelter of an old wall. A good time 

 for watching his little " tricks and manners " is on 

 warm nights in spring and summer. Many a time 

 have I noted him, as he feeds by night, running 

 hither and thither, poking about, scratching, and 

 gently whining to himself; he has even come and 

 examined my shoes, sniffing and whining as he did 

 so, whilst I stood perfectly still, so as not to alarm 

 the little fellow, in order that I might watch him the 

 better. When I did move, he did not roll himself 

 up in a ball ; he simply jogged on his way. 



The hedgehog must do a great amount of good, 

 for this reason : insects and small reptiles form a 

 part of his diet, so he grubs up a great many wild 

 plants, some of which he eats ; others he disturbs, 

 that he may get at those insects which shelter at 

 their roots. Sometimes, it is true, he visits a garden, 

 where he will eat a few beans or nibble the tops 

 of other things, but the harm done is very small. 

 Fallen fruit he will eat, when he can get it — and why 

 not ? It would probably otherwise lie and rot. Yet 

 for these little crimes he is cruelly trapped. When 

 this happens he justifies his name, and the poor little 



