380 
NATURAL HISTORY* 
coloration depend on the season and the age of the specimen. The tail is slender, four-sided, and com- 
pressed towards the tip. The Water Shrew is distributed over the whole continent of Europe, as far 
north as the shores of the Baltic. It is found in many localities in England and in Scotland, but is not 
known to occur in Ireland. 
The Water Shrew is one of the prettiest of our British Mammals. Its movements, especially in 
the water, are very agile; and although, from its swimming by alternate strokes of its hind feet, its 
course is of a somewhat wriggling character, the peculiar mode in which it Hattons its body so as to 
show a narrow white border on each side, and the silvery lustre of the coat of air-bubbles which 
adheres to its back, give it a very elegant appearance when thus engaged. It is found chiefly about 
the rivulets of mountainous and hilly countries, generally showing a preference for those quieter 
parts where the water flows smoothly over a sandy bottom, but it will also make its way through 
more broken water, in shallow parts full of stones. Clear water seems to be the great desideratum, 
and if this can be secured the Water Shrew will put up with a lake or pond. It is not, however, 
absolutely confined to the water-side, but will at times wander about the fields, sheltering itself under 
haycocks, and other heaps of dried plants, and even making its way into houses, barns, and outbuildings. 
Nevertheless, as may be judged from the fringed tail and feet, it is essentially an aquatic animal, 
and its regular habitation seems to be always constructed in the immediate vicinity of water. Here 
the Water Shrew burrows into the soft ground of the bank, and forms a subterranean dwelling, 
usually with several openings, one of which is situated beneath the surface of the water, to give the 
little creature an opportunity of slipping quietly and unperceived into or out of its house. Its food is 
principally obtained in the water, and consists of aquatic insects, worms, mollusca, and Crustacea, 
which it snaps up in its rapid flittings to and fro. In Bell’s “ British Quadrupeds ” the pursuit of the 
Freshwater Shrimp (Gmimarus pulex) in a shallow but rapid streamlet by the Water Shrew is 
described. The little animal was seen busily pushing about among the stones at the bottom of the 
water, sometimes poking its nose under them, sometimes turning them over in a fashion which might 
be thought beyond its strength. The result was the same in either case ; the Shrew captured some 
small article of food, with which it made oft’ to the side of the stream, where it was heard crunching 
the crustaceans between its teeth. 
Besides this small prey, the Water Shrew is said by Continental writers to attack almost any 
small animal that comes in its way — frogs, fishes, and even small birds and quadrupeds are described 
as among its victims. It is also said to feed on the spawn of fishes, and, according to Brehm’s 
testimony, will even destroy large fish, such as Carp, by eating out their eyes and brains. Carrion 
and dead animals will also furnish it with a meal. One of Mr. Bell’s editors gives a striking instance 
of this. A steel rat-trap had been set, and in the morning contained a large Rat, “ on which was 
perched a small black object, which proved on closer approach to be a Water Shrew. The Rat was 
dead, and the Shrew was devouring it. Although the slender snout and projecting and comparatively 
weak teeth of the Shrew were but ill adapted, one would have thought, for devouring prey of the size 
of a full-grown Rat, yet the animal had succeeded in making a small hole through the skin, and tliis 
it was most energetically employed, by means of both teeth and claws, in enlarging. So ferocious were 
its actions, that it might very properly be said to b q fighting the Rat ; and so intent was it on its work 
as to suffer itself to be captured by the observer, who laid the loading-rod of his gun across its back.” 
The breeding season commences in April or May, when the courtship of the little creatures 
commences by a persevering pursuit of his intended partner by the male. The lady exhibits a 
becoming coyness, leading her suitor a long chase through the water ; but while thus engaged both 
parties keep the main chance in view, and seize everything eatable that comes in their way. The 
young are brought forth in a chamber in the bank, and are from five to seven or eight in number. 
A nearly allied, but larger species, the Himalayan Water Shrew (Crossopus hitmi/mcus), occurs 
in the streams of the Himalayas. Mr. Jerdon, who obtained it from the Little Rungeet River at 
Darjeling, describes it as five or six inches long, dark brown or blackish above, paler beneath, and 
with a bunch of hairs at the tip of the tail. It was said to kill small fish, tadpoles, aquatic insects, 
&c. Another species (0, platycephalus) inhabits Japan. 
The Marsh Shrew (Sorex palnstris ), of North America, has been referred to this genus by some 
authors; but it has a long slender, cylindrical tail, with a pencil of hairs at the tip, and Professor 
