THE OARED SHREW, OR BLACK WATER SHREW. 



From repeated observations, it seems that the Water Shrew is not entirely confined 

 to the neighborhood of water, neither is it totally dependent for its subsistence on aquatic 

 insects, for it has been frequently seen at some distance from any stream or pond. It 

 must be remarked, however, that a very small rivulet is amply sufficient for the purposes 

 of the Water Shrew, which will take up its residence for several years in succession on 

 the banks of a little artificial channel that is only used for the purpose of carrying 

 water for the irrigation of low-lying fields. 



It is believed that the Water Shrew is a more prolific animal than the erd Shrew, for 

 whereas the latter creature produces from five to seven young at a litter, the former is 

 blessed with a family of sevenj eight, or nine in number, six or seven being the ordinary 

 average. The total length of the Water Shrew is not quite four inches and a half, the 

 length of the head and body being a little more than three inches, and that of the tail 

 being about two inches. Its snout, although long, is not quite so narrow and pointed 

 as that of the erd Shrew, and its ears are remarkably small. When it swims, it has a 

 curious habit of spreading out its sides, so as to flatten the body as it floats upon the 

 water. 



THE largest of the British Shrews is that species which is called the OARED SHREW, 

 on account of the oar-like formation of the feet and tail ; which are edged with even 

 longer and stiffer hairs than those which decorate the same parts in the water Shrew. 



As may be imagined from this 

 structure, the habits of the animal 

 are aquatic in their nature, and 

 its manners are so closely similar 

 to those of the preceding species, 

 that it may easily be mistaken for 

 that animal, when seen at a little 

 distance, so as to render the dif- 

 ference in size less conspicuous 

 and the color of the under por- 

 tions of the body less apparent. 



It has already been stated 

 that the back of the water Shrew 

 is of a velvety black, and the 

 abdomen and under portions of 

 the body of a beautiful and clearly 

 defined white. In the Oared 

 Shrew, however, the back is pro- 

 fusely sprinkled with white hairs, 

 _ and the fur of the abdomen and 



OARED SHREW, OR BLACK WATER SHREW. flankS fc??"^?^^ 81 ^^ 1 



cnssopns aiiatus. P ure whlte - The middle of the 



abdomen, however, together with 



that of the throat, is strongly tinged with yellow ; the throat being more of an ashy 

 yellow than the abdomen. 



Although not so common as the erd and the Water Shrew, it is of more frequent 

 occurrence than is generally supposed, and has been found in many parts of England 

 where it was formerly supposed to be wanting. The total length of the Oared Shrew is 

 about five inches and a quarter, the head and body measuring rather more than three 

 inches, and the tail being about two inches in length. Its nose is not quite so sharp 

 or narrow as that of the Water Shrew, and the ears are decorated with a slight fringe of 

 white hair. The latter third of the tail is flattened, as if for swimming, while the 

 remaining two-thirds are nearly cylindrical, but are slightly squared, as has been already 

 mtntioned of the common Shrew. 



On account of the general darkness of its fur, it is sometimes called the Black Water 

 Shrew, and is catalogued in the British Museum under that title. The generic name, 

 Crossopus is of Greek origin, and signifies " f ringed-feet." 



