PIGMY SHREW 



bers of the genus Neosorex. They are very seldom seen and 

 because of their habits are not easily observed. Available 

 records indicate that the young number about six. 



Genus Microsorex^ 



Dentition : Incisors, | ; Canines, ^ ; Premolars, f ; Molars, f = 32. 



Pigmy Shrew. — Microsorex hoyi 



and related forms 



Names. — Pigmy Shrew; Least Shrew. 



General Description. — A very small Shrew, with short tail; 

 except for size, resembling small members of the genus Sorex 

 in superficial appearance, but differing in cranial and dental 

 characters. 



Color. — Sexes colored alike, seasonal variation not very 

 marked. 



Upperparts. — Sepia brown; tail bicolor, above dark brown, 

 below whitish. 



Underparts. — Ashy with wash of buffy on throat, breast, 

 and sometimes on belly. 



Immature pelage very much like adult. 



Measurements. — Sexes of equal size. Total length 3.3 

 inches; tail vertebra, 1.3 inches; hind foot, .42 inch. 



Geographical Distribution. — Eastern North America. 



Food. — Insects, 



Enemies. — Snakes, Owls, Hawks, and small carnivorous 

 mammals. 



Species and Subspecies of the Genus Microsorex 



Hoy Pigmy Shrew. — Microsorex hoyi hoyi (Baird), 



As described above. Found in the northern United States 

 and adjoining Canadian provinces from Nova Scotia, 

 Quebec, and New York west to Manitoba and North 

 Dakota. 



Thompson Pigmy Shrew. — Microsorex hoyi thompsoni (Baird), 

 Upperparts "dark olive-brown, slightly hoary; paler on 

 sides. Beneath, ashy white. No tinge of chestnut or 



^ Although, this genus is treated by Merriam in his synopsis of the 

 Shrews, North American Fauna, No. 10, 1895, so little material was avail- 

 able that only one form was recognized. Jackson, 1925, lists seven 

 forms, but as yet no satisfactory account of distribution has been 

 published. 



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