CLASS MAMMALIA. 39
There is, near Colchester, a family of mole-catchers, the
greatest masters of their art whom I have ever known. They
will, at any time, produce living specimens at a few hours'
notice. They bear the appropriate surname of "Watchem,"
originally no doubt, a nick-name given them in consequence
of their trade. Of late years, the family have altered the
spelling to Watsham. I have purchased of one mole-catcher
(who works in company with his brother) as many as fifteen
hundred fresh skins in a season, from which fact the enormous
scale on which moles are. destroyed by an able man may be
surmised.
Family SORICIDAE, Linn.
Genus SOREX (Linn.), Wagl.
Sorex vulgaris, Linn. Common Shrew.
This animal occurs commonly in all parts of the county,
although it is more frequently heard than seen. Like all the
rest of the family, it is highly pugnacious, and two rarely
meet without engaging in a fight. Hedge and coppice,
in consequence, frequently resound with their faint but
shrill war-shrieks. In colour, it varies very much, two
specimens hardly ever occurring of exactly the same shade.
Sorex minutus, Linn. Lesser Shrew,
I find Sorex vulgaris and Sorex minutus equally common,
either as captured specimens or lying dead on the paths in
autumn.
There can be little doubt of the specific distinctness of
this from the last. The most obvious character by which to
distinguish them is the comparative length of tail. The
colour of the tips of the teeth is not so important a point, as
it varies much with age. The hair on the lower portion of
Sorex minutus will, I think, generally be found to be of a
clearer white than is the case with the other species.