MAMMALS 
occasion ; indeed the late J. W. Harris ob- 
tained a perfectly white weasel from the 
vicinity of Keswick. I was also assured that 
a black specimen had been killed on the Lyne- 
how estate a few years ago. 
18. Otter. Lutra lutra, Linn. 
Bell—Lutra vulgaris. 
The rivers and lakes of Cumberland afford 
many strongholds to the otter; indeed, no 
part of England affords grander sport to de- 
votees of otter-hounds than the Eden val- 
ley. Trapping on the part of some who 
erroneously regard the presence of the otter 
as inconsistent with the preservation of salmon 
reduces our river-side population of otters 
periodically ; but as soon as the prejudice has 
died away again, these plucky animals replen- 
ish their favourite waters with fresh litters of 
cubs. The largest males sometimes scale as 
much as 31 1b.; females have been found to 
scale as much as 20 and 21 Ib. 
19. Badger. eles meles, Linn. 
Bell—Meles taxus. 
Locally, Brock, Gray, Pate (ods.). 
Formerly badger-earths were to be found 
in most parts of the county, from the shores 
of the Solway Firth to the borders of West- 
morland. Some years ago it appeared prob- 
able that the old race of badgers had become 
extinct ; but of late years badgers have re- 
asserted their right of domicile in some of our 
larger covers. Whether these animals had 
escaped from confinement is difficult to deter- 
mine ; but as wild badgers certainly exist in 
Westmorland, it is probable that though the 
numbers of badgers in Cumberland dwindled 
to very small proportions, the original stock 
never became entirely extinct. The Field 
of May 2oth, 1893, contains a note that 
three weeks earlier a sow badger had been 
found in a wood near Aspatria with two 
young ones. Other instances of badgers 
being caught of late years come to me from 
the Cockermouth district. 
The badger was formerly included in the 
proscribed list of vermin to be exterminated at 
the expense of the parish. As early as 1658, 
we read in the accounts of Penrith parish, 
‘ Payed for killinge of two paytes, 2s.’ Thirty- 
six badgers were killed and paid for in Dacre 
parish between 1685 and 1750. A shilling 
was the price set upon the head of an old 
badger, and fourpence was given for a cub. 
20. Common Seal. Phoca vitulina, Linn. 
Immature specimens of the common seal 
not infrequently enter the higher waters of 
the Solway Firth in pursuit of fish, and in 
exceptional cases ascend both the Eden and 
Esk for a few miles, But there are no sands 
or rocks on the coast of Cumberland that are 
regularly frequented by these animals. 
RODENTIA 
21. Squirrel. Sciurus Jeucourus, Kerr. 
Bell—Sciurus vulgaris. 
Locally, Con, Swirl (0ds.). 
The squirrel is plentiful iin wooded dis- 
tricts, but there are many parts of the county 
in which a squirrel is never seen, simply be- 
cause timber and coppices are absent. The 
Jate Tom Duckworth once saw a black variety 
near Rose Castle. 
22. Dormouse. Muscardinus avellanarius, 
Linn. 
Bell—Myoxus avellanarius. 
The dormouse is rare in Cumberland, but 
has been taken on a good many occasions in 
the south of the county. It has never been 
reported to me from any of our eastern fells. 
23. Brown Rat. Mus decumanus, Pallas. 
Locally, Rattan. 
This pest is only too plentiful in most of 
our homesteads. Many frequent the coast- 
line, feeding on animal and other substances 
thrown up by the tide. 
24. Black Rat. Mus rattus, Linn. 
As long ago as 1796, Dr. Heysham con- 
sidered that the old English black rat had 
become ‘very rare’ in Cumberland. I have 
never myself seen a fresh local specimen, 
though reliable reports of the presence of this 
animal have reached me from the west of 
Cumberland on several occasions. 
25. House Mouse. Mus musculus, Linn. 
The universal presence of this animal calls 
for no remark; but it may be noted that 
white varieties occasionally occur in a state of 
nature. 
26. Wood Mouse or Long-tailed Field Mouse. 
Mus sylvaticus, Linn. 
A common resident in woods and gardens, 
and one that is easily reconciled to the loss of 
liberty. 
27. Harvest Mouse. AZus minutus, Pallas. 
A rare animal in Cumberland, but speci- 
mens have been captured in the north of the 
221 
