FIELD VOLE 69 



snow would kill them [a 'black' frost would have more effect], 

 but slushy snow does not suit sheep, and such a remedy for 

 the plague would of necessity involve great loss of stock. In 

 some places more than the ordinary number of cats are kept, 

 and these are credited with doing good work on the farmers' 

 side. It is remarked that owls and hawks have been increas- 

 ing all over the infected region; one informant mentions that 

 in his locality the latter are as plentiful as crows; and in 

 such an emergency all are gladly welcomed. But all that 

 is being done in these various ways does not tell in any 

 appreciable degree on the myriad swarms." ^ The only 

 Peeblesshire farm I hear of being much affected by the 

 plague is Fruid, in the southern part of the county. Eooks, 

 I am told, devour great numbers of the young. 



Desiring to see a few examples from different elevations, I 

 applied to Dr J. E. Hamilton, of Hawick, who very kindly 

 procured me a dozen from that neighbourhood. They were 

 captured at various altitudes, from about 600 feet to close on 

 1000 feet above sea-level, and belonged without exception to 

 the present species, Arvicola agrestis. One was cream- 

 coloured (with black eyes), and the rest gave me the impres- 

 sion of being a shade darker than specimens I have examined 

 from other localities. In acknowledging receipt of a couple 

 I sent to the British Museum, Mr Oldfield Thomas, while 

 unable to say that they present any peculiar features, adds 

 that there can be no doubt about the species. My children 

 have appropriated half a dozen of them as pets, and I don't 

 think I ever before saw a wild animal take so readily to con- 

 finement. They exhibit practically no fear, and will sit on 

 the hand for any length of time, regaling themselves on apple 

 parings, bread soaked in milk, etc. The tender shoots of 

 grasses they are very fond of, using the fore feet singly after 



^ Consult also Report by Board of Agriculture, March 1892. 



