The Common Shrew is a pretty little creature, remarkable for its square
tail, which is about two-thirds as long as the body. It lives in
meadows, and has been falsely accused by the ignorant of causing by its
bite a disease in Horses, and even of witchcraft. The truth seems to be
that the Shrew has a strong and peculiar odor, which is very repugnant
to Cats; they drive away and kill the Shrew Mouse, but never eat it. It
is apparently this circumstance that has been the origin of the
prejudice against the supposed venomous bite of this animal, and of the
danger of its attacking Cattle, as well as Horses. It is, however,
neither venomous nor capable of biting, for it cannot open its mouth
sufficiently wide to seize the double thickness of an animal’s skin,
which is especially necessary in biting; and the Horse malady attributed
by the ignorant to the bite of the Shrew Mouse is a swelling which
proceeds from an internal cause, and has nothing to do with the bite, or
rather puncture, of this little creature. Its usual abodes, especially
in winter, are hay-lofts, stables and barns attached to farm yards; it
lives upon insects and decayed animal substances.