Page:VCH Norfolk 1.djvu/280

 A HISTORY OF NORFOLK INSECTIVORA 7. Hedgehog. Erinaceus europauSy Linn, Common. 8. Mole. Talpa europaa, Linn. A variety, white or cream-coloured above and rusty-yellow beneath, is quite common in certain low-lying lands in the neighbour- hood of Oby, Clippesby, and some other places. Of twenty-five dozen moles taken at the latter place thirty-five were white. I am informed mixed broods are never found. In six pregnant moles examined by me on March 26th and 28th, 1878, four contained four young ones each, the remaining two only three each. 9. Common Shrew. Sorex araneus, Linn. Common. 10. Pigmy Shrew. Sorex minutus, Linn. Bell — Sorex pygmatu. The lesser or pigmy shrew was first identi- fied as a Norfolk species by Mr. Frank Norgate from a specimen taken at Sparham Heath in June, 1874, since which time it has proved to be by no means rare. An albino variety was killed at Thetford. 1 1 . Water Shrew. Neomys fodiens, Pallas. Bell — Crossopm fodiens. The typical form of the water-shrew, with the under parts pure white appears to be rare in Norfolk. The form formerly known as S. remifer, the oared shrew, with the dark under parts and chestnut throat, being much more frequent ; but I have met with every intermediate variety of colouring. CARNIVORA 12. Fox. Vulpei vulpes, Linn. Bell — Vulpes vulgaris. But for the protection afforded by sports- men, it is not probable that the fox would long be tolerated in a game country, and doubtless those now found in Norfolk owe their origin to other parts of the kingdom, or to importation from abroad. I have been told that at a time when foxhounds were given up in Norfolk some of the foxes were trapped and sent into Leicestershire, Bedford, etc., and that many of these, having been previously marked, were again trapped in Norfolk. Some of the Westacre foxes, which, I believe, owe their origin to the continent of America, do not make ' earths,' but ascend fir trees, and lie some thirty feet above the ground, on the top branches, all day. 13. Pine Marten. Mustela marteSy Linn. Bell — Martes abietum. The pine marten was probably not un- common at the commencement of the present century ; so late as the year 1 8 1 1 forty-three were killed on one estate near Bury St. Edmunds in the adjoining county of Suffolk, but it is likely that the last of the native race m Norfolk did not long survive that date. In 1864 a marten was trapped at Kelling and another in July, 1878, at Hevingham, near Norwich. In the latter case every endeavour was made to trace its origin with- out success, but I have little doubt both were escapes. 14. Polecat. Putorius putorius, Linn. Bell — Mustela putorius. The polecat, formerly common enough, has become very scarce in this county, and seldom comes into the hands of our local bird-stuffers. 15. Stoat (Ermine). Putorius ermineus, Linn. Bell — Mustela erminea. Locally, Lobster.'^ This species is common in Norfolk, and is frequently found in full white winter dress ; this change does not appear to depend so much on the severity of the weather as is generally believed. In 1882 I counted forty- one white, or nearly white, stoats in a bird- stuffer's workroom at Thetford, all killed in one year, the chief attraction being doubtless the extensive rabbit warrens in that neigh- bourhood. 16. Weasel. Putorius nivalis, Linn. Bell — Mustela vulgaris. Female, ' mouse hunter.' Common. I have twice seen examples showing a consider- able extent of white fur, probably partial albinism, a change which appears to be rare in this species. ' It has been suggested that this is a corruption of 'leapster' from its mode of progression. 248