COMMON AND SHORT-TAILED SHREWS 155 



neath; head and body, 3% inches long, tail, 1 5 A inches. The 

 ground-plan of its skull is a perfect triangle spreading thirty- 

 five degrees, and is very flat. Although very soft and fine, 

 its fur is not so velvety as that of a mole. This creature is 

 very small, and quite mouse-like in appearance. 



Unlike the mole, Shrews occasionally emerge from their 

 burrows, and wander about near their entrances. But they 

 are exceedingly shy, and although they are frequently thrown 

 out by the spade or plough, they are very rarely seen moving 

 about. Above ground they are very helpless, and being unable 

 to run rapidly, they try in a feeble way to hide. When taken 

 in the hand, the musky odor they emit is rather disagreeable. 



The Short-Tailed Shrew 1 is another type worthy of 

 special mention. It is readily recognized by its very short 

 tail, only 1 inch in length, while its head and body measure 

 4 inches. Its color is smoky brown above, and dull gray 

 underneath, and in size it is the largest of the shrews. It is 

 found from the eastern edge of the Great Plains to the At- 

 lantic coast. 



1 Bla-ri'na bre-vi-cau'da. 



