INSECT-EATERS: MOLE, SHREWS, AND HEDGEHOG 9 FLYING MAMMALS: BATS 30 FLESH-EATERS: FOX, BADGER, OTTER, WEASELS, MARTENS, AND WILD CAT 52 GNAWING ANIMALS: RABBIT, HARES, DORMOUSE, VOLES, MICE, RATS, AND SQUIRRELS 78 HOOFED ANIMALS: RED DEER, FALLOW DEER, AND ROE DEER 124 LIZARDS AND SLOW-WORM 136 SNAKES 146 AMPHIBIOUS ANIMALS: FROGS, TOADS, AND NEWTS 157 CLASSIFIED INDEX TO ORDERS, GENERA, AND SPECIES 179 GENERAL INDEX 181 INTRODUCTORY Apart from the birds and the fishes, the vertebrates or backboned animals of the British Islands constitute a very select group. Within the historical period several former notable members of that company have ceased to be represented in the freedom of nature in this country, and their forms can be studied only in museums and zoological gardens. Although we have to regret the absence from our list of the Beaver and the Wild Boar, the Ure-ox and the Short-horned Wild Ox, the Brown Bear and the savage Wolf, there are still sufficient of our vertebrates left to give a zest to the observations of the rambler in the woodlands, over the mountains and along the quiet waysides and streams of our country. To observe these mammals, reptiles, and batrachians we must go afoot: the bicycle or the motor-car is of use only to convey us quickly out of town to appropriate localities in the open country. Arrived there, quietness must be the order of the day--the footfall light and the voice lowered in conversation if there are two or more in company. The sitter will see far more than the man who wants to perambulate the entire wood or explore the acreage of moorland. A comfortable seat having been chosen with deliberation for the view it affords of a wood margin, a hillside, or stream curve, according to the habits of the creatures we are hoping to see, the field-glass should be brought into requisition, and every inch of the field of vision carefully and repeatedly scanned. The movement of a grass-blade, the trembling of a fern frond or the rustling of a dead leaf will often indicate the precise spot to be watched. It will be understood that as most of these creatures are more or less nocturnal in their activities, observation must be continued until sometime after dusk at least, in order to be successful.