Family SORICID^. 
Genus Sorex. 
THE COMMON SHREW. 
Sorex arancus^ Linnaeus. 
Plate 9. 
The insectivorous habits, long pointed snout, diminutive eyes, and short 
velvety fur, show that the Shrews are allied to the Mole and not to the 
mice, to which they have some superficial resemblance. 
Our Common Shrew measures in length of head and body just under 
3 inches. The tail (about \\ inches) is proportionately much shorter 
than that of the Lesser Shrew. The teeth, unlike those of the White- 
toothed Shrew of France and Germany, are of a reddish brown colour 
towards their points. The animal has a strong musky odour. 
The colour of the fur on the upper parts varies a good deal in 
intensity, from a pale brown or rusty brown in summer to a much 
darker tint in winter. The under parts are dull greyish or yellowish 
white. 
The Common Shrew is widely distributed, ranging throughout a great 
part of Europe and in Norway, according to Collett, is found as high 
up as the snow line. It also inhabits the northern parts of Asia and 
America. 
This species is common in suitable localities over the whole of England 
and Wales, as well as the mainland of Scotland, though unknown in the 
Shetlands, Orkneys and Outer Hebrides, and also in Ireland. In the three 
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