WATER-SHREW. 83 



to consume it. Sometimes it would run a little on the surface, 

 and sometimes timidly and hastily come ashore, but with the 



greatest caution, and instantly plunge in again 



WhenWinder water, it looks grey, on account of the pearly 

 clusters of minute air-bubbles that adhere to its fur, and 

 bespangle it all over. It swims very rapidly; and, though 

 it appears to dart, its very nimble wriggle is clearly discernible." 



The food of the Water-Shrew consists mainly of various 

 kinds of water-insects, their larvse, crustaceans, and fresh-water 

 snails. In the spring it appears to be specially fond of the 

 larvse of the Caddis-fly j and in searching for fresh-water Shrimps 

 the animal is in the habit of turning over the stones at the 

 bottom of clear streamlets. It will also prey at times on the 

 fry- of fish, one of the Duke of Sutherland's gamekeepers having 

 watched one of these Shrews attack a shoal of young Salmon 

 which had just been liberated from the hatching-house into a 

 small brook. This fish-eating propensity is likewise proved 

 from the observations of Mr. Buckley ; while there is also 

 evidence that this Shrew will at times eat the flesh of dead 

 mammals or birds. Mr. Trevor-Battye tells me that a colony 

 of these animals, which he found in Kent, inhabited a garden- 

 pond for a great number of years, where they showed a great 

 partiality for frog-spawn. 



The long, winding burrow already alluded to, which is ex- 

 panded at its extremity into a rounded chamber, serves not 

 only as a dwelling-place, but likewise as a nursery. In this 

 grass-lined chamber the female, early in May, gives birth to 

 from five to ten young ones ; five or six being apparently the 

 most usual number. When able to run about, the young are 

 described as most sportive and amusing little creatures, chas- 

 ing one another up and down the small paths radiating from 

 the entrance to the burrow. 



It is said that at times the Water-Shrew will seek its food, 



G 2 



