Zoology* 79 



manifest to the eye of every unprejudiced person, that it is really amazing 

 how our countrymen should have persisted, now nearly half a century, in 

 the most manly and valiant endeavours to exterminate the moles from the 

 face of the earth. If a hundred men and horses were employed on a com- 

 mon-sized pasture farm, say of from 1500 to 2000 acres, in raising and con- 

 veying manure for a top-dressing of that farm, they would not do it so effec- 

 tually, so neatly, or so equally, as the natural number of moles on that farm 

 would do of themselves." {Quaiierly Journal of Agriculture.^ 



Notes on the Water Shrew. — Ja7i. 28. Water shrew (6'6rex fodiens) 

 appears. This is a curious little animal, and not often seen, except by 

 those acquainted with its habits. It resembles the common shrew, but is 

 twice the size ; the upper part of the body black ; beneath, dirty white ; 

 the fur like that of a mole. Water shrews burrow and live on the banks 

 of rivulets and spring-water ditches, and appear to collect their food, which 

 probably consists of the larvae of some of the ephemeral flies, from among 

 the loose mud. If cautiously watched, they being naturally shy, they may 

 be seen crouching at the mouths of their holes, looking intently into the 

 water J and should a shoal of minnows (Cjprinus Phoxinus) or sticklebacks 

 (Gasterosteus aculeatus) pass near, the shrew plunges amongst them, but 

 seldom succeeds in making a capture ; and, returning to his station, looks 

 out for another chance. They dive with much adroitness, and can remain 

 under water for the space of a minute. Their fur repels the water from 

 their bodies, as while they are submerged they appear to be almost white. 

 When pursued by the weasel, they drop into the water, and pass to the 

 opposite side. — J. M. Jan. 28. 'l828. 



The date of this communication, which we received almost as soon as 

 written, shows that we should have published it anteriorly to Mr. Dovas- 

 ton's esteemed article on the same subject, dated May 6. 1829, published 

 in our Vol. II. p. 219. That communication has excited contributions to 

 the more complete history of this interesting animal at p. 399. and 483. of 

 Vol. II., and p. 90. 188. 236. and 471. of Vol. III.; and the information 

 contained in the present account will be found confirmatory and additional 

 to that contained in the previous ones. W. W.'s (of Liverpool) notice. 

 Vol. III. p. 471., of the differences in character which he observed in the 

 captured specimens he examined, from the specimens described by Mr. Dovas- 

 ton, Vol. II. p. 221., induce us to refer W. W. to Mr. Ainsworth's remarks 

 in Vol. II. p. 483., which go to prove that there are two British species of 

 water shrew. — J. D. 



Notes on the Common Shrew. — April 2. The common shrew (^Sbve^ 

 Jraneus) appears. The shrew is well known, especially to mowers and 

 reapers. Their economy is much like that of the field mouse (ikfus sylva- 

 ticus). It is observable, that, if two are seen together, they are almost 

 always quarrelling. Whether the contest be amatory or malicious is un- 

 certain ; but the sufferer's cry is the most piercingly acute of any sound 

 with which the ear can be assailed. Cats kill, but seldom eat, the shrew.— 

 J. M. April 2. 1831. 



The last sentence asserts a fact exceedingly familiar to the inhabitants of 

 the fens of Cambridgeshire, but where the name of shrew is scarcely known. 

 Its name there is mog-mouse ; almost without question, a corruption of 

 bog mouse. W. L. (Vol. III. p. 236.) says, " the cat kills, but does not 

 eat, the common shrew." — J. D. 



A rare Variety of the Goose Family. — Sir, The severity of the season 

 [winter of 1829-30] having brought with it the usual accompaniment of 

 numerous flocks of wild fowl, it has happened, as is generally the case, 

 that some rare specimens of the yi^nas tribe have found their way from far 

 distant lands, to seek protection for a while on our shores. Amongst 

 others, a beautiful variety of the goose family has been shot in the neigh- 



