527 



COMMON SHREW. 



Sorex Araneus. S. cauda mediocri, corpore subtus albido. Lin. 



Syst. Nat. p. 74. 

 Ferruginous-brown Shrew, whitish beneath, with tail rather 



shorter than the body. 



Mus Araneus. Gesn. Quadr.p. 747. Aldr. dig. p. 441. 

 Musaraigne. Ruff. %.j>. 57. t. lo.f. I. 

 Foetid Shrew. Pennant Quadr. 2. p. 224. 



THIS little animal, which is perhaps the smallest 

 of the European quadrupeds, is a very common 

 inhabitant of our fields and gardens, and measures 

 about two inches and a half, and the tail one and 

 a half. Its colour is nearly similar to that of a 

 mouse, but of a somewhat more ferruginous 

 tinge; and the animal is readily distinguished by 

 its long and sharp snout: the eyes are small and 

 almost hid in the fur. It feeds on roots, grain, 

 insects, and almost any kind of neglected animal 

 substance. It has a very strong and unpleasant 

 smell ; and it is remarkable that cats will kill but 

 not eat it. Mr. Pennant observes that there 

 seems to be an annual mortality among these 

 little animals every autumn ; numbers of them be- 

 ing found dead at that season by paths and in the 

 fields. It inhabits most parts of Europe, and is 

 also said to be found in Siberia and Kamtschatka. 

 It breeds in holes, under banks, among moss, &c. 

 and is said to produce several young at a time. 



