Page:VCH Warwickshire 1.djvu/248

A HISTORY OF WARWICKSHIRE was equally common at one time over the large fishponds at Coughton Court near Alces- ter. Mr. J. Steele Elliott records its occur- rence at Sutton Coldfield. 8. Whiskered Bat. Myotis mystacinus, Leisler. Bell Vespertillo mystacinus. Common and frequenting the foliage of tall trees, which it penetrates through and through in pursuit of insects, which appear to be taken while resting on the leaves. Its flight in the intricacies of foliage is remark- ably quivering, and unlike that of any other British bat. So far as the writer has observed it returns to rest and to hybernate in buildings rather than trees, indeed he has never met with it in the latter situation. INSECTIVORA 9. Hedgehog. Erinaceus europ<eus y Linn. The hedgehog is too well known in the county to require special observation. It might however be mentioned that one kept as a pet and which was very docile had a very decided liking for hens' eggs, and would consume those which were in the very last stage of decay with as much relish as fresh ones. 10. Mole. Talpa europtea, Linn. The abundance or the reverse of the mole in any district depends entirely on the assidu- ity of the mole-catcher. There is no doubt however that with the decadence of agricul- ture it has materially increased, and in many places is now abundant, as may be seen from the number of hills it throws up. 11. Common Shrew. Sorex arancus y Linn. A common and generally distributed species, which varies much in colour, the upper parts being sometimes nearly black. 12. Pigmy Shrew. Sorex minutus, Pallas. Bell Sorex pygm<?us. Much less abundant than the common shrew, to which it bears considerable resem- blance, except in size and in being always of a lighter colour. It appears to be very local in its distribution, indeed the writer has met with it only in the valley of the Avon. 13. Water Shrew. Neomys fodiens, Pallas. Bell Crossopus fodlent. Not rare in the valley of the Avon, where it frequents the low lying meadows. It is also found in the wet ditches and rills of the higher ground, subsisting on small crustaceans, which are abundant in such places. It will also feed on the dead body of an animal or bird, as the writer has determined from personal observation. The so-called oared shrew is a variety only of the water shrew, in the summer or seasonal dress of that species. In the winter the contrast between the black colour of the back and the white of the under parts be- comes again clearly defined. CARNIVORA 14. Fox. Vulpes vu/pes, Linn. Bell Vulpes vulgaris. An animal which is common or rare accord- ing as it is preserved for hunting or destroyed as vermin. 15. Polecat. Putorius putorius, Linn. Bell Mustela putorius. Formerly not rare in the county, though it had become uncommon so long as half a century since. It is very doubtful whether it now occurs, as there is no recent and well authenticated instance of its appearance. Some so-called polecats which the writer has seen were undoubtedly brown ferrets which had escaped, and closely resembled polecats. 1 6. Stoat. Putorius ermineus, Linn. Bell Mustela erminea. Though less abundant than the weasel, the stoat is common and generally distributed. It is a bold and wild creature with a good deal of dash, and when hunted by dogs will take across country, keeping however as much as possible within cover and out of sight. Occasionally, when it has become white and is very conspicuous, it may be seen to pass through hedge and over ditch for two or three fields length without check or hesita- tion. The stoat is also an adroit climber, and will ascend the upright bole of a tree to reach the nests of birds almost after the man- ner of a squirrel. 17. Weasel. Putorius nivalis. Linn. Bell Mustela vulgaris. Common and generally distributed, feeding chiefly on field mice and voles, and also on young rabbits and birds. There is some 210