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insectivorous, depending almost wholly on animal food for subsistence, 

 and with its near kinsman the mole, which it greatly resembles, is 

 supposed to feed principally on worms. 



"****** In view of their great numbers we natu- 

 rally query what economic relations they bear to man and to nature. 

 Undoubtedly the purely mechanical effect of their universal burrowing 

 and rooting in the soil is an important factor in that economy. It 

 is known that they subsist to some extent on vegetable food, chiefly 

 nuts, but they do only indirect damage to agriculture by disturbing 

 the roots of plants. On the other hand, there is little doubt that 

 they destroy an amazing number of noxious grubs, beetles, and worms, 

 and it is probable that the part they play as underground scavengers 

 is important. They also do much in checking the increase of the 

 native mice of our meadows and woodlands. 



"Of the domestic habits of the mole shrew we know very little, 

 and that, in a general way, would seem to point to anything but 

 conjugal felicity or fidelity, and their fraternal relations may safely 

 be set down as far below par. 



"****** The mole shrew builds a nest of grass and 

 leaves in dry, underground situations, to which it resorts not only for 

 its own shelter, but for that of its young. Four to six young compose 

 a litter, and, as with our native mice, the young are born at all 

 seasons of the year, though less frequently in winter." (The Mam- 

 mals of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, pp. 193-195, 1903.) 



Witmer Stone and William E. Cram. "There is a class of little 

 beasts common enough throughout all our Northern States, yet hardly 

 known by name or otherwise. Resembling the mice in outward ap- 

 pearance; in their manner of living and getting their food they may 

 almost be said to copy the habits of the weasels. They have the lithe, 

 supple bodies, and short legs of the weasel tribe without the character- 

 istic slimness of form; their flesh, like that of the weasel's is dark, 

 and strong smelling. This might be attributed to their similarly 

 carnivorous habits, if it were not true that the flesh of most meat- 

 eating animals is comparatively light-colored and tender. 



"It might even be objected that the shrews are not truly carniv- 

 orous but insectivorous, the fact that they are actually the smallest 

 of beasts rendering them powerless against all but a very few of 

 their kindred. 



"But ravenously fond of all kinds of flesh they certainly are, and 

 I believe that the young of ground-nesting birds and perhaps young 

 mice are frequently eaten by them. It would not greatly surprise me 

 to discover that they occasionally attack creatures larger than them- 

 selves. Of the several distinct species that should be found in most 

 of the Eastern States, I have found but one really abundant. This 



