438 THE OARED SHREW, OR BLACK WATER SHREW. 
From repeated observations, it seems that the Water Shrew is not entirely confined to 
the neighbourhood of water, neither is it totally dependent for its subsistence on aquatic 
insects, for it has been frequently seen at some distance from any stream or pond. It 
must be remarked, however, that a very small rivulet is amply sufficient for the purposes 
of the Water Shrew, which will take up its residence for several years in succession on 
the banks of a little artificial channel that is only used for the purpose of carrying water 
for the irrigation of low-lying fields. 
It is believed that the Water Shrew is a more prolific animal than the erd Shrew, 
for whereas the latter creature produces from five to seven young at a litter, the former is 
blessed with a family of seven, eight, or nine in number, six or seven being the ordinary 
average. The total length of the Water Shrew is not quite four inches and a half, the 
length of the head and body being a little more than three inches, and that of the tail 
being about two inches. Its snout, although long, is not quite so narrow and pointed as 
that of the erd Shrew, and its ears are remarkably small. When it swims, it has a curious 
habit of spreading out its sides, so as to flatten the body as it floats upon the water. 
THE largest of the British Shrews is that species which is called the OARED SHREW, 
on account of the oar-like formation of the feet and tail; which are edged with even 
longer and stiffer hairs than those which decorate the same parts in the water Shrew. 
; As may be imagined from this 
structure, the habits of the animal 
are aquatic in their nature, and 
its manners are so closely similar 
to those of the preceding species, 
that it may easily be mistaken for 
that animal, when seen at a Little 
distance, so as to render the dif- 
ference in size less conspicuous, 
and the colour of the under por- 
tions of the body less apparent. 
It has already been stated 
that the back of the water Shrew 
is of a velvety black, and the 
abdomen and under portions of 
the body of a beautiful and clearly 
defined white. In the Oared 
Shrew, however, the back is pro- 
fusely sprinkled with white hairs, 
and the fur of the abdomen and 
OARED SHREW, OR BLACK WATER SHREW.—Créssopus cilidtus. flanks is blackish-grey instead of 
pure white. The middle of the 
abdomen, however, together with 
that of the throat, is strongly tinged with yellow; the throat being more of an ashy 
yellow than the abdomen. 
Although not so common as the erd and the water Shrew, it is of more frequent 
cecurrence than is generally supposed, and has been found in many parts of England 
where it was formerly supposed to be wanting. The total length of the Oared Shrew is 
about five inches and a quarter, the head and body measuring rather more than three 
inches, and the tail being about two inches in length. Its nose is not quite so sharp or 
narrow as that of the water Shrew, and the ears are decorated with a slight fringe of 
white hair. The latter third of the tail is flattened, as if for swimming: sails the 
remaining two-thirds are nearly eylindrical, but are slightly squared, as has been already 
mentioned of the common Shrew. ji, igs 
; On account of the general darkness of its fur, it is sometimes called the Black Water 
Shrew, and is catalogued in the British Museum under that title. The generie name, 
Crossopus, is of Greek origin, and signifies “ fringed-feet.” 
