INSECTIVORA (SHREW-MICE AND HEDGEHOGS). 499 



worm above ground. In Ireland Talpa eitropcea is unknown, 

 nor is it seen in the Western Islands of Scotland. They may 

 be a nuisance in grass-land and corn-fields at harvest-time, but 

 should then be trapped alive and put where they can do much 

 good, as long as they are not allowed to increase unduly. But 

 is it certain that they do any harm'? Surely by tunnelling 

 the earth they help surface drainage; surely the mould they 

 bring up, spread upon the land, would act as a beneficial top- 

 dressing; and what of the countless hordes of wireworm and 

 leather-jackets they destroy 1 



The SoHioiDiE or Shrew-jMicb 



are all small mouse -like animals with soft fur, well-developed 

 eyes, and external ears, and with a more or less pointed snout. 

 Shrews live in subterranean passages, where they devour noxious 

 grubs. They do not, it seems, make their own passages, but 

 live in those formed by voles. All the Shrews have a peculiar 

 smell, coming from two sebaceous glands near the anus. 



Three species are found in plenty in Britain — the Common 

 Shrew (Sm-ex vulgaris), the Little Shrew (S. pygma-uii), and 

 the Water- Shrew {8. fodiens). The last mentioned is quite 

 black, and although beneficial on land, is said to be most 

 harmful to fish-breeding, living upon the small fry. 



The EsiNACEiDiE oe Hedgehogs 



are represented by one species in Europe — namely, E. europcRus 

 — that lives upon grass-snakes, adders, frogs, snails, and various 

 grubs, voles, poultry and game eggs, and sometimes vegetation. 

 They hunt only of a night, rolling up into a ball when 

 attacked, and are thus protected by the prickly spines on the 

 upper surface of the body. The Hedgehog passes the winter 

 in a semi-dormant state, but sometimes comes out at that time 



