FIELD NOTES ON SOME BRITISH MAMMALIA. 171 



I could not see there was any marked difference in the thickness 

 of the fur. In many June specimens parts of the body, especially 

 the back, appeared as if the tips of the hairs had been cut off 

 with scissors. I regard this abrasion of the hairs due to the 

 constant movements of the animals in their underground pas- 

 sages. Moles, as a rule, retire deep underground in hard 

 weather, though I have a specimen taken alive in February, 

 above ground, during a hard and prolonged frost at 10 a.m. 

 Moles have a partiality for wet swampy soil. I have often found 

 their runs in these situations, and in some places where the water 

 fairly — if I may use the term — " squelched" over my boots. 



Common Shrew (Sorex araneus). — I have nothing further to 

 add to my note on this species published in a previous number 

 of ' The Zoologist,' except that last year I caught a Shrew in the 

 act of devouring what would have been a very fine specimen of a 

 Bank- Vole caught in one of my traps. 



Pigmy Shrew (S. minutus). — I have never trapped this 

 species, but found two dead ones last year in the neighbour- 

 hood of Godalming. 



Water Shrew (Neomysfodiens). — With regard to the moult- 

 ing of this species, I cannot say how often it takes place, as 

 I have found the species scarce, and have been unable to obtain 

 many specimens ; but that it does moult at least once a year I 

 know, as I have found them in this condition in April. I find it 

 has a great partiality for ditches and slow running streams, and 

 it also is less aquatic in its habits than is generally supposed. I 

 once saw one running along a perfectly dry ditch covered with 

 dead leaves a long way from any water, and have several times 

 picked up dead ones on the high road. The finest specimen I 

 have ever seen is one in my possession, which was caught at 

 Esher, Surrey, in November, 1904. The fur is extremely long 

 and thick, and as soft and glossy as that of a Mole, while the stiff 

 hairs on the feet and tail are greatly developed. 



Weasel (Putorius vulgaris). — I have on more than one occa- 

 sion watched Weasels at play. Their actions then are extremely 

 pretty and graceful, reminding one of kittens. They will when 

 thus engaged bound up a couple of feet or so into the air in sheer 

 exuberance of spirit. 



Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). — I once found a colony 



