SMALL DEER OUR RODENTS 149 
very particular in their choice in this matter. Min- 
nows could not live where they do. A most extra- 
ordinary mixture of timidity and ferocity they are. 
I tried to pick up one that was making a little over- 
land journey, and he jumped, shrieked, and bit in a 
most determined manner. Taking its size into con- 
sideration, it was the most desperate fighter I have 
seen. Battles often are fought between all the crea- 
tures here described, in which the weakest get killed. 
Anyone wishing to observe them need only go to the 
places they are known to frequent. Some who have 
read those of our articles in which the exact localities 
have been given, have spoken or written quite feel- 
ingly because they did not see, in one hasty day's 
rush, what it had perhaps taken years to record. 
Now and again intermittent calls for 'cold Irish' have 
taken up time during that single day's outing, and 
drinks taken injudiciously are apt to make the vision 
somewhat unobservant. 
The little land-shrew, the peak-nosed mouse of 
country children, is a very nimble little fellow. He 
helps to keep down the numerous insect pests that 
would, unless held in check, cause very serious incon- 
venience. Much has been written about the mortality 
that affects land-shrews at times ; but there is nothing 
extraordinary about it. I have known other creatures 
