COMMON SHREW 



we find, are intimately acquainted with the Shrew, and 

 if a specimen is discovered during one of our Nature- 

 study expeditions, there is ahvays great speculation as 

 to the identity of the wee beastie which supplies the 

 object lesson. But the smallness of body, nice brown 

 dress, and especially the sharp-pointed and whiskered 

 snout, are sufficient means of identification. The 

 latter is a very sensitive organ, and we are reminded in 

 this particular of the Mole, to which the Shrew is, of 

 course, closely related. Indeed, so close is this relation- 

 Common 



ship that the name of Mole-Shrew has been given to 

 certain animals that live in foreign lands. 



Shrews, in a like manner to Moles, engage in sexual 

 contests, and it is always interesting to notice that, 

 when a dead Shrew is found, it almost invariably occurs 

 in a pathway. Why is this ? 



The Common Shrew, as also the Lesser species next 

 upon our list, is an active little beast. It hunts un- 

 ceasingly for food, and may be watched at close quarters, 

 if the dense mass of growth it frequents does not 

 altogether hide it from view. If a specimen is captured 

 (and it does not die of fright, as it is said to do), a musky 



smell will be forthcoming, which, it is beheved, is a 



41 



