134 The Naturalist in Siluria. 



when ttese animals^ like most others, are seen running 

 about in a state of unusual excitement. Just so is it 

 with the mole in March, the period at which it gives way 

 to instincts of propagation, and the time when the talparii 

 reap their richest harvest. For now the males follow the 

 females, and pursue one another, doing battle along the 

 main runs, regardless of traps or other obstruction. 

 While this state of things exists— which it does from the 

 latter part of February till well on in March — the mole- 

 catcher has a busy time of it. and the busier the better 

 he likes it. 



• THE GARDEN MOLE. 



Let not the reader imagine I am about to speak of a 

 distinct species or variety of talpa, though the mole- 

 catcher will tell you of a "garden mole." He means, 

 however, only one found frequently in the garden, and 

 for the trapping of which he will charge you double — 

 that is, sixpence — instead of the ordinary price, which is 

 threepence. His assigned reason for this, a valid one, is 

 the greater difficulty of capturing the animal in garden 

 ground, from the looseness of the mould and the greater 

 irregularity of the " runs." Often days, or even weeks, 

 may elapse before a pair of moles that have taken to the 

 kitchen garden — where they do infinite damage — can be 

 coaxed into the trap. 



