THE WATER SHREW. 



437 



the color of the fur, is the fringe of stiff white hairs which edges the tail and the toes, 

 and which is evidently of great use in the natatory movements of the animal. 



The Water Shrew finds its food in various ways. Sometimes it burrows in the muddy 

 river banks, rooting in the soft earth with its elongated nose, and dislodging the larvae of 

 certain insects that pass that stage of their existence in the mud. It also chases and 

 captures various aquatic insects as they move through the water, and will not disdain 

 to feed upon moths and other similar creatures which have fallen or have been blown 

 into the water and then drowned. 



In all its movements, the Water Shrew is extremely graceful and active, displaying 

 equal agility, whether its movements be terrestrial or aquatic. As the sphere of its 

 vision does not appear to be very extended, it can easily be approached while it is 

 engaged in its little gambols, and can be watched without much difficulty. 



I have repeatedly observed the proceedings of a little colony of these creatures, and 

 was able to sit within a yard or two of their haunts without their cognizance of my 

 person. They are most sportive little creatures, and seem to enjoy a game of play with 

 thorough appreciation, chasing each other over the ground and through the water, 

 running up the stems of aquatic plants, and tumbling off the leaves into the water, 



WATER SHREW. Crossopus Fodleas. 



scrambling hastily over the stones around which the stream ripples, and playing a thou- 

 sand little pranks with the most evident enjoyment. Then they will suddenly cease their 

 play, and begin to search after insects with the utmost gravity, rooting in the banks, 

 and picking up stray flies, as if they never had any other business in view. 



As it is in the habit of repeatedly passing over the same ground in these mutual 

 chases, it soon treads a kind of path or road upon the land, which, although very 

 obscurely marked, is yet sufficiently well defined to attract the attention of any one 

 who is conversant with the habits of these little creatures. 



Being an excellent diver, and fond of submerging itself wholly beneath the surface, 

 the Water Shrew would suffer great inconvenience were its ears to be constantly filled 

 with the liquid element in which it moves; and in order to avert such an inconvenience, 

 a special provision of nature is needed. For this purpose the ears are peculiarly formed, 

 so that as soon as the animal is wholly submerged, the pressure of the water acts upon 

 three small valves, which fold together and effectually prevent the entrance of a single 

 drop of water into the cavity of the ear. As soon as the animal rises to the surface, 

 the pressure is removed, and the ears unfold like the petals of a flower, when the sun 

 shines warmly on them. 



