16 ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



ings, fences, and stone walls, and occasionally it finds its way 

 into cellars, where, if there is a shallow vessel containing 

 water or milk, it will be sure to terminate its existence from 

 its inability to escape, through clumsiness. All this family 

 pass their winters in a state of torpidity. 



The Shrew Mouse {Sorex) is remarkable for its diminutive 

 size and apparent helplessness, rarely showing itself by day. 

 Measuring only 2 to 5 inches, it may properly be considered 

 the smallest mammiferous animal belonging to this continent. 

 Although cats will destroy these little creatures with as great 

 eagerness as they do mice, it is a well-ascertained fact that 

 they will never devour them, probably from the strong musky 

 smell they emit. They frequent the long grass in orchards, 

 and the outskirts of gardens. 



There are several species, viz : 



SOREX DEKAYI, dark slate blue, 5 to 6 inches long. Not 

 common. 



S. BREVICAUDUS, the short tail shrew, furlong, head large, 

 color blackish lead, length 4 inches, very rare. 



S. PARVUS, brownish ash color, feet flesh-colored, length 

 2 to 3 inches. 



S. CAROLINENSIS, iron gray, 4 inches in length, very little 

 known. 



