534 WATER SHREW. 



there can scarce remain a doubt as to the identity 

 of the species. It inhabits fields, but is said some- 

 times to come into houses. It is found in the 

 East-Indian islands, as well as in India, occurring 

 in Java, &c. &c. and is said to feed chiefly on 

 rice. 



WATER SHREW. 



Sorex Fodiens. S. supra niger, subtus albus. 



Black Shrew, white beneath. 



S. cauda mediocri subnuda, corpore nigricante subtvs tinereo, digit'u* 



ciliatis. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 113. 



Musaraneus dorso nigro ventreque albo. Merret.pin. p. 167. 

 Sorex Bicolor. Water Shrew. Naturalist's Miscellany, pi. 55. 

 Water Shrew. Pennant Quadr. a. p. 225. 

 Musaraigne d'eau. Buff. 8. p. 64. pi. ii.Jig. I. 



THIS species is considerably larger than the 

 common Shrew, measuring three inches and three 

 quarters in length, from nose to tail, and the tail 

 two inches. Its colour is black on the upper 

 parts, and white or of a very pale ash- colour on 

 the throat, breast, and belly : the feet are white, 

 and beneath the tail is a triangular dusky spot : 

 the nose is long and slender, and the ears very 

 small. It inhabits various parts of Europe and 

 Asia, and is chiefly found near the banks of ri- 

 vers, in which it burrows, and is instantly distin- 

 guishable from the common Shrew by its colour 

 as well as size. It is said to have a kind of 

 chirping note, like that of a grasshopper. It 

 breeds in spring, and produces eight or nine at 



