76 txoyd's natural history. 



above the level of the fur ; tail, although somewhat variable 

 in length, always shorter than the body, four-sided, with the 

 angles rounded off, its width nearly equal throughout, and its 

 whole length clothed with short, close, and somewhat stiff 

 hairs. Fur usually of a reddish mouse-colour on the upper- 

 parts, and greyish beneath. Length of head and body, 2^ 

 inches ; of tail, i ^ inch, or rather more. 



In coni'iion with the other members of the genus to which 

 it belongs, the Shrew is an elegant little creature, with thick, 

 soft fur, a long, slender and pointed muzzle, and a short body 

 — the latter being more or less arched when the animal is at 

 rest, tliough capable of being depressed when in motion. Al- 

 though the term "reddish mouse-colour" perhaps best expresses 

 the more usual tint of the fur 01 the upper-parts, there is a 

 considerable amount of individual variation in respect of 

 colour, some examples tending to a more decidedly rufous 

 hue, while others incline to blackish. The grey of the under- 

 parts is likewise variable in shade, being in some cases darker, 

 and in others ligliter than usual, v*'hile it has been known to 

 show a yellowish tinge. Not very uncommonly the fur has a 

 faint suspicion of white, giving a somewhat speckled appear- 

 ance ; and spotted or pied Shrews have been met with. 



In the older works on British zoology the common Shrew 

 was described under the name of Sorex araiieus, under the 

 impression that it was the same as the so-called Spider-Shrew 

 of the Continent. The latter, as was pointed out by the late 

 Rev. Leonard Jenyns (Blomefield), who contributed so largely 

 to our knowledge of British vertebiated animals, is, however, a 

 totally different creature, and is now assigned by zoologists 

 to a distinct genus. 



In size the common Shrew may be roughly compared to an 

 ordinary Mouse, although in build it is more slender and 

 delicate. On each side of the body is situat:d a gland 



