The reason, I suppose, is, because the curious
muscle that enables the creature to roll itself up into a ball was not
then arrived at its full tone and firmness. Hedge-hogs make a deep
and warm hybernaculum with leaves and moss, in which they
conceal themselves for the winter: but I never could find that they
stored in any winter provision, as some quadrupeds certainly do.
I have discovered an anecdote with respect to the field-fare (turdus
pilaris), which I think is particular enough: this bird, though it sits
on trees in the day-time, and procures the greatest part of its food
from white-thorn hedges; yea, moreover, builds on very high trees;
as may be seen by the Fauna Suecica; yet always appears with us to
roost on the ground. They are seen to come in flocks just before it
is dark, and to settle and nestle among the heath on our forest. And
besides, the larkers, in dragging their nets by night, frequently
catch them in the wheat-stubbles; while the bat-fowlers, who take
many red-wings in the hedges, never entangle any of this species.
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