SHREWS AND BATS 285 



about beneath the shrubs and among the long grass, 

 constantly uttering shrill, twittering cries, that sound 

 more like those of a bird than a mammal, and 

 eagerly hunting for insects and worms. Insects of 

 all sorts always abound in Indian houses, and the 

 lighting of the lamps at dusk is the signal for a 

 general influx of moths, beetles, and other noctur- 

 nally active species in such numbers as to convert a 

 room into a perfect entomological menagerie. The 

 abundance of desirable food that is thus provided 

 is very alluring to the shrews, and they fearlessly 

 enter rooms in pursuit of it. When they come 

 in, they usually skirt along in the angles where 

 the walls and floor meet, coursing along, scuffling 

 and squeaking as they go, until they have made 

 a complete tour round the room or have reached 

 an opening into an adjoining one. If they be left 

 unmolested, they are quite inoffensive and are very 

 useful in clearing off any great cockroaches or 

 other objectionable insects that come in their way, 

 but, if they be in any way alarmed or disturbed 

 during their progress, the air is forthwith filled by 

 an intolerable smell of musk that adheres persistently 

 to anything that they may come in contact with. 

 It seems to be as offensive to most dogs as to 

 human beings, and is doubtless a most effectively 

 protective agent. Many dogs, although eager to 

 pursue musk-shrews, absolutely refuse to touch 

 them, and those who cannot resist doing so in the 



