THE COMMON MOLE 
soft and velvety coat is wonderfully adapted to prevent any soil from 
lodging in the frir, which arises perpendicularly from the body and can 
bend either backwards or forwards, according to the movements of the 
animal in its tunnel. 
The colour is a soft deep black with a silvery sheen, the under part 
of the chin and belly suflused with a yellowish tinge. 
Our Common Mole inhabits Europe from Sweden and Russia to the 
central parts of France, while south of the Alps and in the Mediterranean 
countries its place is taken by a closely allied form. 
Throughout England, Wales and Scotland it is abundant in suitable 
localities, and in the latter country has been recorded in the hilly districts 
at an altitude of over 2000 feet as well as among the sandhills by the 
sea. I have observed it on the surface of the ground routing amongst 
gravel and heather by a stream high up on a Highland deer-forest, while 
there are few places provided with a good supply of earthworms where 
the Mole may not be found, as these supply its favourite food. The 
larvae of insects, small mammals, reptiles, and even the flesh of its own 
kind are also eaten. 
It is absent in many of the Scottish islands, including the Shetlands, 
Orkneys, and Outer Hebrides, and also in the Isle of Man and Ireland. 
Most people are familiar with the little earth-mounds which are raised 
by the Mole when removing the earth from the tunnels as it burrows 
in search of its prey. 
The first systematic study of these runs and the fortress or breeding 
stronghold was made by the Frenchman, Henri le Court, towards the end 
of the eighteenth century, and since then many other observers, especially 
Mr. Lionel Adams and Mr. W. Evans, have added much to our 
knowledge. From the fortress a main underground thoroughfare passes 
through the territory occupied by the Moles, whence branch many by-ways 
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