1098 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



yet been worked out, and are not likely to be very soon, for they 

 are at present beyond our sense power to gauge or analyze. 

 The genius who invents an odoronieter will open a new and 

 wonderful world to the ken of man. 



sociA- Although so numerous, the Masked Shrew is neither gre- 



'''"^^ garious nor sociable. Indeed, it is unsociable to the point of 



ferocity. Whenever two of them fell into one of the pitfalls 



that I used for their capture, the stronger one invariably attacked 



and devoured his weaker brother. 



Merriam also says :' " I once confined three of them under 

 an ordinary tumbler. Almost immediately they commenced 

 fighting, and in a few minutes one was slaughtered and eaten by 

 the other two. Before night, one of these killed and ate its 

 only surviving companion, and its abdomen was much dis- 

 tended by the meal." 



The only record I can find of two being together without a 

 murderous fight is that given by Herrick (quoted later), and 

 these I presume were a pair. 



DEN This species is not known to tunnel or burrow. Its life 



is spent above ground, and its home-nest is in any sheltered 

 spot, not too far from the level of the earth. Merriam says:° 

 "Whenever a tree or a large limb falls to the ground, these 

 Shrews soon find it, examining every part with great care, and 

 if a knot-hole or crevice is detected, leading to a cavity within, 

 they are pretty sure to enter, carry in materials for a nest, and 

 take formal possession. Hence their homes are not infre- 

 quently discovered and destroyed by the wood-chopper." 



MATING We have very little light on the mating of the Shrews. 



All the evidence goes to show that the species may mate and 

 multiply with little regard to season; that is, young may be 

 found at any time, except in winter. 



Whether they pair or are polygamous or promiscuous is 

 not known. But it is a general rule that animals which are 



'Mam. AfViT., 1884, p. 174. ''Ibid., p. 174. 



