SOREX PLATYRHINUS. 
77 
be able to procure sufficient animal food to sustain them during our 
long and severe winters ; indeed, I incline to believe that their diet 
is more comprehensive than most writers suppose, and that they 
feed upon beechnuts and a variety of seeds, and possibly roots as 
well, though I confess that I have no direct evidence to adduce in 
support of this supposition. 
SOREX PLATYRHINUS (DeKay) Linsley. 
Broad-nosed Shrew. 
This species, which was first described by Dr. DeKay, from a speci- 
men taken in this State, is not rare in the Adirondacks, though I do not 
think it is as plentiful here as Sorex Cooperi , which it much re- 
sembles in habits. 
Its diminutive size does not exempt it from the attacks of predatory 
birds, for, in April, 1882, I shot, at Morse Lake, a Canada Jay whose 
stomach contained the remains, including the under jaw, of a Shrew 
which seemed to be of the present species. I have also taken it at 
Big Moose Lake. 
The individual from which Dr. DeKay ’s description was drawn, 
was captured “ at Tappan, Rockland county, in the cellar of a dwell- 
ing-house, having taken up its abode between the stones of the 
foundation. It was exceedingly agile ; and when excited, emitted a 
shrill, twittering squeak. It ate greedily of fresh meat, but died in 
the course of a few days. Through the politeness of my friend, the 
Rev. J. H. Linsley of Elmwood Place, Connecticut, I had an oppor- 
tunity of examining another specimen, which was obtained from a 
log in the forest in winter, near Stratford. According to Mr. Linsley, 
it weighed 47 grains.” * Prof. Baird mentions a specimen that 
weighed but 37 grains, f 
* Zoology of New York. Part I, 1842, p. 23. 
\ Pacific Rail Road Reports, vol. VIII, 1857, p. 26. 
