2280 Quadrupeds. 



insects and vegetables ; and I have noticed, too, that they affect those fields most 

 which are most subject to wire-worms. The Rev. G. Wilkins, an Essex clergyman, 

 comes forward most ably as the champion of moles (Zool. 2009), and finds that they 

 entirely annihilate the wire-worm. Where there is little or no wire-worm on a farm, 

 it is difficult for a farmer to make up his mind whether to preserve or destroy them. 

 It is unpleasant to see them in your turnip-fields, undermining the drills for a hun- 

 dred yards together, and causing the plants to wither. It is unpleasant to see them 

 in your mangold-wurtzel, burrowing under the plants, and effecting the same destruc- 

 tion. It is unpleasant to find them in your corn, loosening the soil at the roots, and 

 causing it to be pulled up by the mower's scythe. It is unpleasant to have them 

 working in your smooth pasture-lands, throwing up their unsightly hillocks, and per- 

 forating their surface like a honey-comb. It is unpleasant to have them in your irri- 

 gated fields, burrowing into the drains and embankments, and disturbing your earth- 

 works. In a word, although I shall run the risk of calling down upon me the anger 

 of the worthy clergyman of Essex, who says that " farmers adopt nothing till driven 

 to it, and nothing that is new and good," I must say, that much as I admire the mole, 

 I would, after all, rather have his " room than his company " on my land. 



Shrew (Sorex tetragonurus). I can throw no light upon the annual mortality of 

 the shrew. It takes place about March, when numbers are found dead in lanes and 

 hedgerows, but without any mark of violence upon them. These animals generally 

 make their nests in fields of mowing grass. Mowers constantly shave off the top of 

 one when cutting down the grass, but the animal does not usually forsake it ; but I 

 have known her bestow considerable pains in shielding her young from danger. The 

 nest is a proof of this animal's industry and skill, and worthy of admiration. It is 

 built on the ground in a tuft of herbage, round in shape, and apparently there is no 

 entrance to the interior (probably a fresh one is made as required, in different parts 

 of it, and closed when no longer needed). Their nest is, as Burns would truly 

 describe it, 



" A wee bit heap o' leaves and stibble, 

 Which costs it mony a weary nibble." 



In the autumn of 1842 I met with an incident relative to the character of this animal 

 worth recording. I was rambling by the margin of a patch of sedge, when I disco- 

 vered the nest of a shrew mouse close to my feet. It was about the size of a cricket- 

 ball, and contained five young ones. I took it up, and having satisfied my curiosity 

 replaced it in a careless manner; but going to it a few days afterwards, I observed 

 that the dam had closed up the aperture which I had broken, and drawn the blades 

 of long grass over the nest, so as to cover the minute habitation in a most admirable 

 manner. Whenever I passed that way I took a peep at the group, to watch their 

 growth ; but was not a little surprised, after a few visits, to find the nest missing. I 

 examined the neighbourhood minutely, and found, to my surprise, that they were lo- 

 cated about fifty yards further. The dam, no doubt not liking my frequent interrup- 

 tions, had removed her charge to a more secure place, — an example of the care and 

 tenderness which these minute animals display towards their young. 



Water Shrew (Sorex fodiens). I am not aware that this animal has been captured 

 in Derbyshire by any one except myself. Glover mentions it in his Mammalia of this 

 county, but records no capture. Three specimens have come under my notice in this 

 parish. One was taken alive, November 23rd, 1845, at some distance from water, 



