465 
Oared Shrew (Sorcx remifer). I have at different times found 
this species lying dead — on two or three occasions it was alone ; 
on one occasion a common shrew was lying dead beside the oared 
shrew. I have never seen the other variety — the water shrew, 
8. fodiens — at least, I have not seen it well enough to recognize 
it. 1 noticed many largo black -looking shrews amongst the long 
grass and brambles on the edge of the Fritton lake, but could not 
catch one. 
Lesser Shrew (Sorex pygmmis). Juno 14th, 1874. I caught 
this species on Sparham heath, late in the evening. At the time, I 
had scon no description or drawing of it, but after noticing its 
minute body and very long square tail, I sent it to the editor of 
the ‘ Field,’ who was good enough to identify it for me. 
July 6 th, 1874. On the heath near the Beacon hill, between 
Ivunton and Fclbrigg, I saw two shrews, one of which I believe 
was of this species, and the other probably S. remifer , but I was 
unable to make sure of either. 
Otter (Lutra vulgaris). I frequently seo traces of the otter 
on the banks of the Wensum river, in Sparham, at all times in 
the year. By “ traces ” I mean those well-worn landing-places, 
and remains of fish. The “seal” and “spraints” I seldom see 
except when the ground is well covered with snow ; and then if the 
snow is a few inches deep, the broad track made by the otter’s 
body is far more conspicuous than either of the other signs. 
January 30th, 1874. A shepherd brought me a young otter J 
which he had just killed in Sparham. It weighed five pounds, 
and was two feet three inches long. Mr. Southwell has already 
shown that this animal has its young in October, November, 
December, January, and February, and that four is an unusually 
large litter. 
"Weasel (Mustcla vulgaris). May 16th, 1876. I dissected ten 
weasels, which were all unfortunately killed in one wheat stack in 
Sparham, yesterday: three were adult Js, three adult ?s, and 
four small young ones about a quarter grown, so far as I could 
see, but one of those four young ones was a £ . One young 5 had 
fifteen ribs on one side, and fourteen on the other side. All the 
other weasels had but fourteen pairs of ribs each. 
