HABITS OF THE WATER SHREW. 149 



SHORT COMMUNICATIONS. 



Habits of the Water-Shrew, {Sorex fodiens), as observed 

 near Ipswich. — Whilst walking by the side of the river Gip- 

 ping, in May, 1838, between Ipswich and the village of 

 Sproughton, my attention was arrested by several water-shrews 

 actively engaged in a dyke that runs parallel to the river. — 

 These little creatures were in such rapid motion on the water, 

 that its surface was thrown into a state of quick undulation, 

 though the dyke was at least four feet wide. At times they 

 would be upon the surface moving at a rapid rate between 

 the blades of the aquatic plants, consisting principally of 

 Sparganium ramosum and simplex, that grew from the bot- 

 tom, — then they would dive, and for a while remain beneath, 

 but always on returning to the top, displaying the greatest 

 rapidity in their movements. Whilst above water they were 

 constantly repeating their faint, though shrill, tremulous 

 squeak, which appeared as though expressive of pleasurable 

 sensations. 



On visiting the spot the following evening, and secreting 

 myself, I had an opportunity of remarking the movements of 

 these little animals on land. 



I found beneath a slightly hanging bank, and close by the 

 water side, a long gallery, which, though in a great measure 

 naturally formed, yet much had been done by the shrews to 

 render it a convenient viaduct between one hunting-place and 

 another : the grasses and other plants had been removed, as 

 well as, here and there, small portions of earth, in order to 

 render this passage, in their movements from end to end, as 

 commodious as possible. I observed the shrews continually 

 passing backwards and forwards through this passage, which 

 enabled them to travel with facility from one part of the ditch 

 to another, and which was principally a little above the wa- 

 ter level, but at intervals there were depressions at which the 

 water passed on to, or over its floor This passage v/as evi- 

 dently the common property of many shrews, as several were 

 continually running backwards and forwards, along its whole 

 extent, and ultimately taking to the water, swimming up or 

 down the ditch, diving, and performing various evolutions in 

 search of their insect prey. They swim upon or under the 

 surface of the water with equal rapidity, and when beneath, 

 the hair upon their bodies so completely repels the water, 

 that the air entangled amongst the hair gives to the bodies of 

 the little animals the brilliancy of silver, as they pursue their 

 course ; on emerging from the water the coat appears per- 

 fectly dry, but this is further ensured by the little creature 



