WATER RATS OR \VATER \ OLE.— Jnucola amjjhibiKs. 



There are many animals which have been saddled with a liad reputation merely 

 on account of an unfortunate roscuiblance to anotlicr aniuud of really evil character. 

 Among these misused innocents the Water Vole is very conspicuous, as the poor 

 creature has been connnonly supposed to be guilty of various poaching exploits 

 which were really achieved l)y the ordinary brown Rat. 



It is quite true that Rats are often seen on the river-banks in the act of eating 

 captuied tish, but these culprits are only the brown Rats which luive migrated 

 from the farmyards for the siunmer months, and intend to return as soon as 

 autumn sets in. The food of the true Water Rat, or A\'ater \o\q, as it is more 

 correctly named, is chiefly of a vegetable nature, and consists almost entirely of 

 various aquatic plants and roots. The common " mare's-tail," or equisetum, is a 

 favourite article of diet with the Water Vole, and I have often seen it feeding on 

 the bark of the common rush. It will sometimes leave the water-side and travel 

 some little distance across the country in search of cultivated vegetables. One 

 of these animals has been seen to cross a ^arge tield and enter a garden where 

 some French beans were growing. The Vole crept up the bean-stalks, and after 

 cutting off several of the pods with its sharp and scissor-like teeth, picked them 

 up and retraced his steps to his home. 



17C 



