42 THE WORLD OF ANIMAL LIFE 



one species averaging only 2>^ inches in length, including the tail. 

 It is a very pretty sight to see a number of these little creatures 

 at play. They scamper to and fro, run races, tumble over one 

 another, and pretend to fight, all the time giving utterance to 

 tiny squeaks, which are very much like the shrill cry of a bat. 



Suddenly one of 

 will plunge 



them 



into the stream, 

 and swim along 

 under water. 

 While submerged, 

 it looks almost 

 like a ball of silver, 

 for in its fur are 

 entangled a great 

 number of bubbles 

 of air. Suddenly 

 it vanishes into 

 the bank; for its 

 burrow always has 

 two openings, one 

 above the surface 

 of the water, and 

 the other beneath. 

 It swims by 

 means of a fringe 

 ot" stiff white bristles which encircle its hinder paws. With these 



The Water-shrew 



it paddles its way along, using its feet alternately, and conse- 

 quently travelling in rather a zigzag manner. Round its tail 

 is another fringe of similar bristles, and this member serves as 

 a rudder, and enables it to steer its course. 



We might even see one of these water-shrews dive under water, 

 overturn a stone, and poke about in the mud with its long snout. 

 It is searching for water-shrimps, or the grubs of A\'ater insects, 

 which it captures and devours in great numbers. It has also been 

 known to feed upon frogs. 



There is a curious resemblance between the ears of the seal 



