466 Vermin of the Farm. 
these basins in ai;tumn, he knew the Avinter Avould be a mild 
one.* 
Another view, however, has been expressed with regard to 
these stores, namely, that they are made as provision for the 
young which are born m March and April (Zoologist, 1875, p. 
4493). The observer examined a round cavity the sides of 
which were beaten hard by the mole, so as to prevent the worms 
from attempting to pierce their way out. Inside this there was 
nearly a quart of fine worms, quite free from any admixture of 
soil, each worm coiled up in a knot, yet all alive. There is no 
direct evidence to show that these were intended as provision 
for the young, which would probably be suckled by the parent 
until able to shift for themselves. It is more likely that they 
were intended for a winter store, to which the mole can resort 
when the ground is too- hard for tunnelling. It is doubtful, 
however, whether the worms could live long in such a condition, 
for if unable to make their escape, they would themselves die 
for want of nourishment. 
According to Jesse, who probably derived his information 
from the practical mole-catcher already referred to, the period 
of gestation in the mole is a month, and from two to six young 
are produced at a birth. The nest, Avhich is formed by ex- 
cavating and enlarging the point of intersection of three or four 
passages, is generally lined Avith dry grass or dead leaves, some- 
times Avith moss, and even fur. The young ones begin to run 
in about five weeks, AAdien they are about tln’ee parts grown, and 
follow the parent for some time. 
]\Ioles are by no means averse to Avater. They Avill not only 
cross ditches and small pools, but have been observed boldly 
swimming across rivers. 
In their journeys above ground they naturally meet with 
many enemies, such as oavIs, buzzards, and Aveasels. The fact 
that they are preyed ujion by owls has been determined by an 
examination of the “ pellets ” or “ castings ” Avhich these birds 
throw up of the indigestible portions of tlieir food. A Gei*man 
naturalist. Dr. Altum, once examined 210 pellets which had 
been rejected by the taAvny or broAvn oavI, and in these he re- 
cognised (amongst the bones of rats, mice, voles, and shrews) the 
remains of no less than forty-eight moles. Buzzards also prey 
upon moles, Avatching for them to work towards the surface, 
when they pounce down, and, digging their claws into the 
moving soil, secure them often while still out of sight. 
It was long ago remarked by Gilbert White (in his fortieth 
Oleanings in Natural History, 2nd series, p. 2G. 
