COLOR OF THE SHREWS. 



129 



size less conspicuous, and the color of the under portions of the body 

 less apparent. 



It has already been stated that the back of the Water Shrew is of 

 a velvety black, and the abdomen and under portions of the body of 



The Common Oared and Water Shrews (G^ossopus cUiatus). 



a beautiful and clearly-defined white. In the Oared Shrew, however, 

 the black is profusely sprinkled with white hairs, and the fur of the 

 abdomen and flanks is blackish gray instead of pure white. The 

 middle of the abdomen, however, together with that of the throat, is 

 strongly tinged with yellow, the throat being more of an ashy yellow 

 than the abdomen. 



Although not so common as the Erd and the Water Shrew, it is of 

 more frequent occurrence than is generally supposed, and has been 

 found in many parts of England where it was formerly supposed to 

 be wanting. The total length of the Oared Shrew is about five inches 

 and a quarter, the head and body measuring rather more than three 

 inches, and the tail about two inches. Its nose is not quite so sharp or 

 narrow as that of the Water Shrew, and the ears are decorated with a 

 slight fringe of white hair. The latter third of the tail is flattened, as 

 if for swimming, while the remaining two-thirds are nearly cylindrical, 

 but are slightly squared, as has already been mentioned of the common 

 Shrew. 



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