328 



THE INSECTIVORES 



important. The genera may be arranged under two groups, according as to 

 whether the teeth are stained of a reddish-brown color or are of the ordinary white 

 hue. 



THE TYPICAL SHREWS 

 Genus Sorex 



In addition to their red teeth, the typical shrews, as represented by the common 

 European shrew (Sorex vulgaris}, figured on the right side of the illustration on p. 

 329, are characterized by the number of their teeth being thirty-two, and by the large 

 size of their ears and the length of the tail ; the latter being covered with hairs of 

 nearly, or quite, uniform length. With the exception of two peculiar species, all 

 these shrews are terrestrial ; and they inhabit Europe, Asia north of the Himalayas, 

 and North America. And it may be remarked here that the red-toothed shrews are 

 quite unknown in Africa south of the Sahara, and they are only represented in India 

 and the rest of the Oriental region by a single small genus (Soriculus}. 



Habits 



SKELETON OF WATER-SHREW. 



The common shrew, found abundantly in the British Islands, meas- 

 ures just short of three inches in length, exclusive of the tail, and is 

 usually of a reddish mouse color above, paler beneath, with the tail 

 somewhat quadrangular and rather shorter than the body. There is, however, con- 

 siderable individual variation in color, specimens being sometimes found banded 

 with white. 



Like the mole, the common shrew has a wide geographical range, 

 extending from England, through Europe and Asia to North America. 

 The facility with which this species conceals itself has been already mentioned. Its 

 food is chiefly insects and worms, supplemented by snails and slugs. In disposition 

 it is so pugnacious that two are rarely seen together except when engaged in com- 

 bat ; and if two or more are confined together, it is not long before the stronger 

 kills the less robust. The strong scent with which the shrew is provided probably 

 acts as a preventive against the attacks of some of its foes, but it is now ascertained 

 that this is not sufficiently repulsive to deter owls from killing and devouring 

 shrews. It was long considered that the numbers of dead shrews to be found in 

 most gardens during the autumn were due to the attacks of cats, which are, known 



