Water- Shrews. 



81 



where they are. Yet their mode of propulsion in the 

 water is peculiar, depending mostly on the hind legs, 

 the feet of which, unlike those of the voles, have the 

 nicest arrangement in the way of a fringe of strong 

 hairs to help them, and a similar fringe is found on the 

 lower surface of the tail. But they go with a kind of 

 irregular swaying motion, as they use the hind feet 

 alternately in pushing themselves along, and, when 

 closely seen, have a somewhat peculiar shape in the 



WATER-SHREW. 



water, owing to the skin of the flanks widening and 

 flattening out. The water-shrew's fur is sleek and 

 soft, of a warm brownish colour, with occasional 

 silver hairs and a silvery belly, which give it a very 

 bright glistening appearance when it conies fresh from 

 the water. They are easily recognised by their long 

 snout arid a peculiarly musty odour. 



Unlike the voles, again, they are carnivorous, and eat 

 almost anything, but are very partial to small water 



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