HLARIXA BREVICAUDA. I7* 



" This shrew is quite active as well as strong ; the snout and head 

 are powerful, and seem to be much used in burrowing ; the tough 

 cartilaginous snout received no injury from the rough edge of a pane 

 of glass, under which that of a caged specimen was forcibly thrust in 

 endeavoring to raise it. When liberated, upon a smooth floor, it 

 runs rapidly, without ever leaping, placing only the toes on the 

 surface ; though in moving slowly the whole tarsi of the hind-feet 

 are brought down. By placing an ear of corn, over 2 inches in 

 diameter, at the edge of the room, and chasing a shrew towards it by 

 strikincy the floor behind the animal, 1 have seen one several times 

 spring over it, apparendy without great effort ; but if not much 

 frio-htened, it would always go round objects an inch high, running 

 close along them, as it did beside the wall, invariably feeling its way. 

 One would never leave the side of the wall to run across the room, 

 and would always run round the side of its cage, rather than go across 

 the middle. When hurt or irritated, it uttered a short, sharp, tremu- 

 lous note, like zcc-c, and. when it was much enraged, this note be- 

 came longer, harsher, and twittering, like that of some buntings or 

 sparrows. Sometimes, a short, clear cry was uttered, the voice call- 

 ino- to mind that of the common mink (Putorhis vison), but softer and 



lower." '•' 



Professor E. D. Cope published the following note " On a Habit 

 of a Species of Blarina " in the American Naturalist for August. 1873 

 (vol. VII, No. 8. pp. 490-491) : " I recendy placed a water-snake 

 ( Tropidonotus sipedon) of two feet in length, in a fernery which was 

 inhabited by a shrew, either a large Blarina Carolincnsis or a small 

 B. talpoidcs. The snake was vigorous when placed in the case in 

 the afternoon and bit at everything within reach. The next morning 

 the glass sides of his prison were streaked with dirt and other marks, 

 to the height of the reach of the snake, bearing witness to his ener- 

 getic efforts to escape. He was then lying on the earthen floor, in 



* Report of the Commissioner of P.-itcnts for the Year iS57- Agriculture. 1858. pp. 95-9^'- 

 12 



