BRITISH MAMMALS 



fourth. In coloaration it is very similar, and, so far as 

 is known, also resembles its better known cousin in its 

 mode of life. 



Water Shrew. — The two aforementioned species are 

 entirely terrestrial, but the Water Shrew (Fig. 8), 

 which is the largest of the three, is mostly aquatic, as its 

 christian name indicates. It belongs to the genus 

 Crossopus, and bears upon its tail and limbs fringes of 

 stiff hair, which are essential aids for swimming. Ex- 



cluding the long tail, this mammal attains a length of 



three and a quarter inches, and the dark hue of the back 



is succeeded on the under parts by whitish. In some 



individuals, called melanic varieties, all-black colouration 



holds good, the lighter under parts being entirely absent. 



To observe a Water Shrew performing its ablutions 



is a sight not readily forgotten, as it may be seen in a 



clear stream swimming with great cleverness, taking 



superb dives, and adroitly running on the bed of the 



water in search of food. As it proceeds on its hunt, it 



sedulously examines any Ukely hiding-place for fresh- 

 44 



