A MINIATURE BRITISH FAUNA 119 



these they have their runs, and here they hide and 

 procure much of their insect food. 



The lesser shrew, the third of the family, is the 

 smallest of British mammals. It is probably much 

 more abundant than is generally supposed, owing to 

 its retiring and hideling habits, and because it is 

 commonly confounded with its first-named congener. 

 In its short, soft, velvety fur it moves silently 

 through the densest herbage, and it is rarely seen by 

 the casual observer. Its haunts and habits are 

 exactly like those of the commoner species, and it is 

 subject to the same mysterious mortality in autumn. 

 Although usually found in close proximity to marshy 

 ground, the lesser shrew is partial to coppice-woods, 

 where, among the fallen leaves and ground vegetation, 

 it obtains its food. In summer it seeks out crops of 

 standing corn; and here, in the lap of plenty, con- 

 structs its grassy nest and brings forth its young. 

 We have found hundreds of lesser shrews after the 

 mowers have cut down the crop, where they are a 

 great nuisance. The nest is a compact ball, nicely 

 lined with the finest vegetation; and from four to 

 seven young ones may usually be found in it towards 

 the middle of June. As soon as these are at all 

 grown they leave the nest, and make little runs 

 through the grass-stalks, and at harvest are fre- 

 quently carried to the barn in the corn-stooks. When 

 they get into houses and barns in this way they are 



