114 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



THE WATER-SHREW. 



The water-shrew, while generally like the former 

 species, has certain peculiarities. The addition to the 

 sides of the toes, the greater breadth of the feet, 

 and the fringe of hairs on the upper surface of the 

 tail, show that it requires the use of oars and a rudder, 

 and that, while the food consists of insects, it is to be 

 obtained in the water. 



The following very interesting account of its habits 

 is given by Mr. Dovaston. " On a delicious evening, 

 far in April, 1825, a little before sunset, strolling in my 

 orchard beside a pool, and looking into the clear water 

 for insects I expected about that time to come out, I 

 was surprised by seeing what I momentarily imagined 

 to be a Ditiscus marginalis, or some very large beetle, 

 dart with rapid motion, and suddenly disappear. Lay- 

 ing myself down cautiously and motionless on the 

 grass, I soon, to my delight and wonder, observed it 

 was a mouse. I repeatedly marked it glide from the 

 bank under water, and bury itself in the mass of leaves 

 at the bottom : I mean the leaves that had fallen off 

 the trees in autumn, and which lay very thick over the 

 mud. It very shortly returned, and entered the bank, 



