THE SHREW. 



THE common shrew is like the weasel in colour, and 

 the mole in its head. It is sometimes called the shrew 

 mouse, from the little creature it also much resembles. 

 It frequents dry situations, feeding on insects and worms ; 

 in the pursuit of which, its snout enables it to grub 

 amongst the closest herbage, or under the surface of the 

 soil, for which it is well adapted by its form, and by its 

 soft, short, velvety coat. Its nest, which consists of 

 soft herbage, is made in any hole on the ground, 

 or in a bank : it is covered over at the top, and is 

 entered at the side. The shrill piercing cry of this 

 animal may frequently be heard in spring and sum- 

 mer, from the spots it loves to frequent. In autumn 

 numbers of them are found dead along the pathways 

 and by the sides of banks ; but the cause of so exten- 

 sive a mortality is not known. Shrews, with bats, 

 seals, and mice, are the groups in which many discove- 

 ries will yet most probably be made. 



