72 <WEE TIM'ROUS BEASTIES' 



flesh, and have been found devouring dead 

 animals and carrion ; they seem to be somewhat 

 pugnacious, and not altogether an amiable race. 

 When swimming underneath the water, their vel- 

 vety glossy fur studded with pearl-like globules 

 of air, they are really beautiful objects ; but 

 being, like the whole race, of nocturnal habits 

 as a rule, and but occasionally abroad by day, 

 it is not often that they are seen, unless very 

 patiently looked for. A variety entirely dark- 

 coloured used to be distinguished as a separate 

 species, but is now regarded as merely a varying 

 form; indeed the water shrew is subject to great 

 differences in colour. 



Possibly this account of some of our little 

 neighbours, found within a few yards of the 

 writer's windows, may induce others to take up 

 the study of a very engrossing chapter of the 

 wild life still around us. 



