CHAPTER II 



BRITISH INSECTIVOROUS LAND MAMMALS 



There are three distinct species of Shrews native to 

 Britain. These are the Common, Lesser, and Water 

 Shrews. As the name implies, the first quoted is 

 widely distributed, and may be identified throughout 

 the length and breadth of the mainland. This little 

 creature is as much at home high up the mountain- 

 side as it is in the pasture-lands. At best it is a tiny 

 mite of some 2^ inches, or a little more, exclusive of 

 the tail. 



They vary much in their general colouring. By 

 nature they are insectivorous, but at times they will eat 

 worms or slugs, or, indeed, a fledgling that may have 

 come to death by falling out of its nest. There are 

 about six young Shrews born in each nest. These 

 nests may be found amongst herbage by the roadside, 

 or quite a distance into a hay or corn field. These 

 nests are cosy structures, with an entrance at one side. 

 In olden times many superstitious tales were told about 

 Shrews in the country-sides, but these beliefs are now a 

 thing of the past. Yet there is a destiny peculiar to 

 not only the Common Shrew, but to the others as well: 

 this is shown in the high percentage of these mammals 

 that are to be seen lying dead about roadways, where 



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