NOTES ON THE MAMMALS OF ESSEX 177
Insectivora
Hedgehog: Erinaceus europaeus Linnaeus.
Most records are from the south and east of the county,
although this is almost certainly due to the preponderance of
observers in these areas. Many of the records represent animals
killed on the roads, particularly in the built-up area of outer
London. The range of the species is known at the present time
to extend into London as far as Leytonstone, although one
isolated colony exists at Bromley Gas Works. It is probable that
the Hedgehog is widely distributed throughout Essex, and it is
hoped that more reporting of observations will show this to be the
case. The likelihood is that Hedgehogs have been fairly numerous
for a long time past. The very fact that little has been written
about these animals may well suggest that they have been too
common to deserve comment. Laver, writing in 1898, says: "I
should think there are very few places in Essex where this very
common animal is not to be found. It may be seen in woods,
hedges, and in the coarse herbage about the ditches of the
marshes". It would appear that the recent spread of suburban
areas has favoured the Hedgehog in that the typical small garden
provides a suitable habitat for the animal. Seldom disturbed
and with a fair amount of cover and suitable food, Hedgehogs are
often to be seen in such places, and are frequently reported to take
food put out for them by householders, bread and milk being a
favourite dish.
Common Shrew: Sorex araneus castaneus Jenyns.
Records for this shrew come from a wide area, including Foul-
ness Island, Skippers Island, Danbury, Baddow, Galleywood,
Chingford, Romford, Abridge, Bradwell and Dawe's Heath. It is
also present in the Colchester area. No records come from the
north of Essex, although it is fairly certain that the species occurs
there. Even where the animal is common, few specimens are
taken in Longworth live traps, probably because the bait normally
employed in small mammal trapping is grain, and the usual diet
of the shrew consists of insects, snails, and similar small animals.
For this reason, many of the records for the county are based on
observations rather than on the results of trapping. In 1898,
Common Shrews occurred in all parts of Essex.
Pygmy Shrew: Sorex minutus Linnaeus.
Records for this creature are few, and based mainly on finding
dead specimens or the remains thereof, and on the examination
of the pellets of owls and other predatory birds. The species has
been reported throughout south and central Essex; records have
been received from Foulness Island, Skipper's Island, Romford,
Billericay, Margaretting, and the Colchester area. It is also said
to occur at Lingwood Common, near Danbury. It is highly
probable that the creature is more widespread than these records
suggest. Laver states that the Pygmy and Common Shrews are
equally common.