XLIX. 



Richardson Shrew, Black-backed or Saddle-backed 

 Shrew. 



Sorex richardsoni Bachman. 



Sorex richardsonii Bach., 1837. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 

 VII, pt. II, 383, Pi. XXIV, Fig. 5. 

 Type Locality. — Probably plains of Saskatchewan. 



French Canadian, la Musaraigne dc Richardson. 



In general, this species (see Plate C) combines large size 

 and a rather short tail, with the family and generic char- 

 acters. It has the third unicuspid larger than the fourth (see 

 Fig. 251 — 2), and its fur is of the tricolour style, that is, in 

 hands, back dark, sides lighter, beloiv lightest; each colour rather 

 abruptly defined against the next. 



Total length, about 4I inches (114 mm.); tail, lA 

 inches (40 mm.); hind-foot, ve inch (14 mm.). 



Above, clear dark brown not sprinkled with hoary; sides, 

 dull yellowish-brown contrasted against back and belly colour; 

 below, pale brownish-white; tail, dark above, also below on tip 

 third, else below, pale brown, that is, bicoloured with the colours 

 of the flanks and back. 



Life-history. 



Very little is known about the range of this Shrew. The 

 map shows all the reliable records. I secured 3 specimens in 

 Manitoba, 2 at Carberry, and i at Shoal Lake. Preble got 9 



110(1 



