i6 



THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



sequence ; hence, perhaps, the old malediction, " Beshrew 

 thee!" 



The shrew is about 2-^ inches in length from the snout 

 to the root of the tail the tail about I inch 7 lines. 

 It is found in dry fields, orchards, gardens, and hedge- 

 banks, feeds chiefly on insects and worms, for which it 

 pokes its long snout into the dead leaves and roots. It 

 burrows or makes long runs just under the surface of 

 the ground. 



The colour is reddish mouse-colour above, grey below. 

 In some the brown on the back is very dark, in others a 

 light chestnut, ears very small and rounded, snout long 

 and thin, body short, back somewhat elevated, tail shorter 

 than the body. 



Shrews are difficult to see when alive, as they are very 

 shy and keep much to the herbage and amongst the dead 

 leaves. They are very fond of the slug (Limax agrestis), 

 as well as of insects and worms. 



THE WATER-SHREW. 



There is another small shrew which frequents the rivers 

 and streams, the WATER-SHREW (Sorex fodiens), which we 

 may place amongst the aquatic animals, as he finds his 

 food almost entirely in and on the water. Shrews are, 

 for the most part, insect-feeders ; but this little fellow, we 

 are afraid, is otherwise disposed, and much doubt if he is 

 not very fond of the ova of trout and other fish. Bell 

 (" British Quadrupeds," second edition) says that this animal 



