This - hedgehog was purposely imported to be of service in
the garden ; but it happens by a curious coincidence that three times within the last month or so I have beard of the Surprising appearance of hedgehogs in gardens, one of them in the suburbs of London. Doubtless the hedgehog is much more common than most people imagine ; and, I think, is increasing greatly. It is certainly increasing in particular districts where no longer gamekeepers exercise their craft. They are semi-nocturnal animals, like obscurity even in twilight hours, have few enemies, and breed freely. Incidentally, is any crea- ture quainter than the young before the spines grow toog:i and dark ? Some foxterriers have a peculiar animosity against hedgehogs, but one touch of the spines on the nole is sufficient warning to most other sorts of dog. Years ago I came upon a camp of gipsies who were dining off hedgehog (they cooked it in a ball of clay) ; but not many, I imagine, are captured and killed for their edible qualities.
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