SHREWS 



new quarters it began nervously to sniff about 

 and find out what sort of a place it had got into. 

 Soon the first smelt it; out he came from his 

 nest, open-mouthed, squeaking furiously, and 

 knocked the stranger head over heels ! All 

 day long their squeaks could be heard, the 

 newcomer being the one that made the most 

 noise ; but it was eating all right, and seemed 

 none the worse for so much fighting, so I 

 thought they would soon settle their differ- 

 ences and quiet down. 



Next morning I went to the shrews very 

 early for fear they might be short of food, 

 and was surprised to find everything still and 

 peaceful. What had happened ? Had the 

 second got out, and if not where had it got to ? 

 But the truth soon became apparent ; a search 

 of the cage revealed the black and white shrew 

 curled up in his nest sleeping the sound and 

 happy sleep of those who have fought and 

 dined well, beside him being the head, tail, 

 feet, and skin of the missing shrew ! The 

 little wretch had not only killed his foe, but 

 eaten every bit of him that was worth eating ! 

 And there was no excuse for him, for there were 

 plenty of worms and insects in the cage. 



The water shrew lived in solitary state from 



89 



