I20 SORICID^— SOREX 



make any attempt to get away. In fact, I think the young of 

 both this species and the Common Shrew remain in the nest 

 or its close vicinity until quite full grown." 



Another nursery, found by Dr N. H. Joy, contained a 

 similar number of young, laid on chips of wood in a cavity in a 

 rotten stump. A nest, which was probably a breeding one, 

 was shown to me on Clare Island, Ireland, by Mr J. 

 J. M'Cabe, in April 1909; at that time it was deserted, 

 having been disturbed by a man on ist March. Happening 

 to lift up a slab of stone lying in a grass field, he found under 

 it, in a cavity — apparently excavated — a ball of dry cut grass, 

 from which at least eight or nine shrews ran out. Beside 

 the cavity, there was at the time of my inspection a short 

 blind burrow, about an inch in diameter, in which were some 

 wood-lice and a slug. The nest cavity was connected with 

 the outer world by a burrow leading for a distance of a few 

 inches to the edge of the slab. Mr Adams has sent me details 

 of three other Irish nests. One, found under a large stone at 

 Rathlin Island, in May 1897, was composed of moss and fine 

 grass. The other two, constructed of dried grass only, were 

 placed at the foot of walls at Ballycastle, county Antrim. The 

 situation of the nests suggests that the animal makes no 

 burrow, but utilises existing hollows. 



A Pygmy Shrew was taken alive in county Wexford, from 

 a similar nest of dried grass, in a cavity of a loose-stone wall. 

 It showed neither fear nor ill-will, and fed freely on spiders, 

 flies, and wood-lice, darting about after them with great 

 activity. It seemed to make much use of its long, trunk- 

 like nose, which was its most noticeable feature, and which 

 continually quivered and trembled with the utmost flexibility. 

 Worms seemed to be too large for it, and a big spider defended 

 itself with success from all attacks. Smaller insects were seized 

 without apparent method and munched rapidly, and certainly 

 not less than seven or eight were consumed one after the other. 

 For its provision at night a number of wood-lice were caught 

 and placed in its box, and by morning all except one had 

 been eaten, and the shrew lay dead, probably from want of 

 water. In the midst of all its activity the little beast took 

 constant short naps. 



