NOTES ON THE ORKNEY VOLE 



197 



breadth towards the other. From the size and the condition 

 of the nest it was evident that it had seen some service- 

 though whether as a cradle for the young, or as a shelter for 

 the adults could not be determined but it was empty when 

 laid bare by us. The other nest was rounder in outline, 

 measuring five inches across ; it contained some new material 

 but was also empty. Each nest formed a thick lining in a 



1*1-1 U U c 



PLAN OF NESTS OF ORKNEY VOLE. 



(The dotted line represents the base of the mound.) 



carefully prepared hollow excavated by the Voles in the peaty 

 soil, and was of the nature of a flattened ball inside which 

 the old Vole and her young might securely lie. At one of 

 the four entrances some peat freshly dug out led us to the 

 discovery of the nest. 



Probably the breeding-season extends over several 

 months : the first females captured by us, August 8 and 9, 

 contained embryos the size of peas. 



