90 CHECK LIST OF THE 



All our species feed entirely upon insects and as they are extremely 

 voracious they are of economic value. As yet they have been but little 

 studied here, and time will probably add other species to our list. 



GENUS SOREX. 

 (*) (22) Sorex fumens. 



(Sooty Shrew.) 



Has been recorded from North Wellington by Mr. Allan Brooks and 

 is probably generally distributed. 



(32) Sorex personatus. 



(Masked Shrew.) 

 Common and generally distributed. 



GENUS BLARINA. 

 (24) Blarina brevicanda. 



(Mole Shrew.) 



Common and generally distributed though not often seen. In this 

 species the ears are small, not visible externally ; it somewhat resembles 

 a mole in general appearance, but its feet are quite different. 



FAMILY TALPID^E. (THE MOLES.) 



Body stout and thick, without distinct neck. Eyes rudimentary, 

 sometimes concealed. No external ears. Limbs very short ; feet greatly 

 expanded and provided with strong claws adapted for digging. Fur soft, 

 compact and velvety. Noted for their extraordinary burrowing powers 

 and the mounds which they throw up. Food principally underground 

 insects. 



GENUS PARASCALOPS. 



(*) ( 2 5) Parascalops breweri. 



(Hairy-tailed Mole, Brewers' Mole.) 



Rare, I have seen specimens from several counties, but its distribu- 

 tion is uncertain. 



GENUS CONDYLURA. 

 (26) Condylura cristata. 



(Star-nosed Mole.) 



Common and generally distributed, more particularly in low, moist 

 ground. It is this species which throws up the mounds so often seen in 

 meadows. It feeds upon all sorts of underground insects and earthworms 

 and does much to keep in check the troublesome white grubs, wireworrns 

 and cutworms. 



