COMMON SHREW. 23 



The breeding season extends from May to November, and 

 during this period each female appears to have several litters, 

 each consisting of from four to eight or even ten but usually 

 five, six, or seven young, although she has only six nipples. 

 Putting it at three litters of six as an average eighteen in a 

 season we get an enormous possible increase of Shrew 

 population. Yet the numbers observable from year to year 

 are fairly constant ; and in considering the high birth-rate we 

 have to allow for the heavy bill of mortality. Though Shrew- 

 flesh is not to the taste of all carnivorous creatures, and its 

 musky odour makes it actually repellent to some, this does not 

 in all cases protect the Shrew from death. Cats, for example, 

 kill many Shrews, but will not eat one. Dogs also account for 

 many Shrews, and will sometimes essay them as food, though 

 their stomachs refuse to deal with the unpleasant musky morsel. 



From the latter part of summer onwards dead Shrews are 

 quite common objects of the countryside ; and various theories 

 have been set up to explain the phenomenon, for these dead 

 bodies are mostly without any signs of maltreatment, either by 

 tooth or claw. It has even been attributed to an autumn 

 epidemic afflicting Shrews alone ; and to the influence of fear 

 caused by a thunder-clap or the mere breaking of a twig near 

 by. But apart from this mysterious mortality, Owls levy a 

 heavy toll upon the Shrew, as is evident from the indigestible 

 " casts " thrown up by these birds. Other birds of prey, such 

 as the Kestrel, are known to take their share, and a further 

 considerable number are claimed by Magpies, Jackdaws, 

 Stoats, Vipers, and Smooth Snakes. Then, again, numerous 

 males fall victims to the jealous fury of their own sex, which 

 leads to fierce and fatal battles. But, as already stated, there 

 are seldom any indications of such encounters on the bodies 

 of these autumn dead, and the only conclusion that appears 

 tenable is that they have died from what a coroner's jury would 

 term ' natural causes." 



