24 ANIMAL LIFE OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Mr. Lionel Adams, who has made special investigations into 

 this matter, suggests that the natural cause is senile decay. He 

 points out that young Shrews moult before winter, the process 

 beginning in September and being completed by November, 

 getting a darker and thicker coat than the light brown one they 

 have worn hitherto. The progress of the change can be 

 watched. It begins on the lower part of the back and extends 

 gradually to the neck, head and face. In spring this darker 

 coat is exchanged for a shorter and lighter one. But in their 

 second autumn there is no resumption of the winter garb ! The 

 natural span of a Shrew's life is fourteen months as the 

 maximum ; and Nature does not go to the expense of winter 

 clothing for creatures that will not live to wear it. 



So small a body as that of the Shrew does not appear to 

 require much food to keep it going ; but the character of the 

 food counts, and apparently insects are not very sustaining. 

 The insect-eater must pursue his prey almost incessantly. We 

 have proofs of this in the ceaseless activity of insectivorous 

 birds, the Mole, the Bats, and the Hedgehog all insectivorous. 

 Mr. Adams found that, in captivity, a Shrew would gorge for 

 half an hour, then have to sleep for a similar period before 

 renewing its feeding with the same energy. In this case the 

 food was all provided and had not to be chased ; and the 

 Shrew was willing to eat the flesh and pick the bones of one of 

 its own kind. In thirty-six hours it consumed food of various 

 kinds equal to nearly four times its own weight. If food is not 

 obtainable for a few hours, the Shrew dies. This excessive 

 demand of the stomach causes the Shrew to be active both 

 night and day. It is fond of carrion, and has frequently fallen 

 a victim to traps baited with bread, cheese, nuts or apple ; and, 

 as Mr. Pocock reports, with plum-pudding. He sleeps with 

 the long flexible snout tucked between the forelegs under the 

 chest. 



The Shrew's dental formula is /'$, c\,p f, m i] - = 32. The 



