HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 427 



THE SHREW MOUSE. 

 (Sorex AraneuSj Linn. La Musaratgne^ BufF.) 



Is smaller than the common Mouse, being" only 

 two inches and a half long from the nose to the 

 tail: the nose is long and slender; the ears short; 

 and the eyes, like those of the Mole, almost con- 

 cealed in the fur. It is of a reddish brown colour ; 

 the belly white. The two upper fore teeth of this 

 animal are singularly constructed, and deserve par- 

 ticular notice; having a small barb on each side, 

 so fine, as to be scarcely visible. 



The Shrew Mouse frequents old walls and heaps 

 of stones ; feeds on insects, corn, and putrid sub- 

 stances; and is sometimes seen on dunghills, where 

 it roots with its nose like a Hog. It has so strong 

 and disagreeable a smell, that the Cat, after she has 

 killed, refuses to eat it. It forms its nest of dry 

 grass, moss, &c., on the surface of meadows or 

 pastures ; and is said to breed four or five young 

 at a time. 



There seems to be an annual mortality of these 

 animals in August, numbers of them being found 

 dead in the fields, highways, &c., about that time. 



