BLARINA BREVICAUDA. 
73 
“ 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 
striking the floor behind the animal, 1 have seen one several times 
spring over it, apparently without great effort ; but it not much 
frightened, 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 zee-e, 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- 
ing to mind that of the common mink (Putorius 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 recently placed a water-snake 
( Tropidonotus si pc don) of two feet in length, in a fernery which was 
inhabited by a shrew, either a large Blarina Carolinensis 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 Patents for the Year 1857. Agriculture. 1858. pp. 95-96. 
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