MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 47 



are reddish brown. Tail nearly glabrous at the base, but ter- 

 minating in a considerable pencil of hairs. First and fifth toes 

 of fore foot as are the second and fourth, these being much 

 longer than the former, third toe longest. Claws of the fore 

 foot much longer than those of hind foot. Hind foot broad, 

 fifth toe somewhat longer than first ; second, third and fourth 

 toes subequal. 



When captured the shrews are very likely to be devoured by 

 their companions, and it is frequently very difficult to secure 

 unmutilated specimens on this account. Dr. Merriam gives 

 the results of experiments upon the present species, as follows: 



"Having caught a vigorous though undersized shrew, I put 

 him in a large wooden box, and provided him with an ample 

 supply of beechnuts, which he ate greedily. He was also fur- 

 nished with a saucer of water, from which he frequently drank. 

 After he had remained two days in these quarters, I placed in 

 the box with him an uninjured and very active white-footed 

 mouse. The shrew at the time weighed 10. 20 grammes, while 

 the mouse, which was a large adult male, weighed just 17 

 grammes. No sooner did the shrew become aware of the pres- 

 ence of the mouse than he gave chase. The mouse, though 

 much larger than the shrew, showed no disposition to fight, 

 and his superior agility enabled him, for a long time, easily to 

 evade his pursuer, for at a single leap he would pass over the 

 latter's head and to a considerable distance beyond. The shrew 

 labored under a great disadvantage, not only from his inability 

 to keep pace with the mouse, but also to a still greater extent, 

 from his defective eyesight. He frequently passed within two 

 inches (31 mm. ) of the mouse without knowing his where- 

 abouts. But he was persistent, and explored over and over 

 again every part of the box, constantly putting the mouse 

 to flight. Indeed, it was by sheer perseverance that he so 

 harassed the mouse that the latter, fatigued by almost con- 

 tinuous exertion, and also probably weakened by fright, was 

 no longer able to escape. He was first caught by the tail ; this 

 proved a temporary stimulant, and he bounded several times 

 across the box, dragging his adversary with him. The shrew 

 did not seem in the least disconcerted at thus being harshly 

 jerked about his domicile, but continued his pursuit with great 

 determination. He next seized the mouse in its side, which 

 resulted in a rough and tumble, the two rolling over and over 

 and biting each other with much energy. The mouse freed 

 himself, but was so exhausted that the shrew had no difficulty 



