THE VOLES 



1301 



The water vole, or, as it is commonly termed, the water rat (Microtus 

 amphibius}, may be taken as a typical example of the widely- 

 distributed group of voles, of which there are about half a hundred species, ranging 

 from Britain through Europe to China, and thence eastward to North America. 

 The genus is sufficiently characterized by the molars being rootless and the soles of 

 the feet naked. 



From its diurnal habits and wide distribution the water vole is one of the best 

 known of the indigenous British Mammals. In size it agrees approximately with 

 the brown rat, the length of the head and body being about eight and one-fourth 

 inches, and that of the tail slightly more than half as much again. The fur is dense 

 and shining, and of a full reddish-brown color mingled with gray above and yellow- 



THE WATER VOLE. 

 (Two-thirds natural size. ) 



ish gray below. The feet are not webbed and the tail is hairy. The number of 

 the prisms in the molar teeth are different from those in the smaller British voles, 

 but since the species is sufficiently distinguished by its superior size, it will be un- 

 necessary to enter into the consideration of this point. A black variety of the 

 water vole is sometimes met with. 



The water vole has a wide distribution, extending from England in the west to 

 China in the east, and occurring throughout continental Europe. Curiously 

 enough, however, it is unknown in Ireland, where the other two species of British 

 voles are likewise wanting. 



Every English brook and river is tenanted by the water vole, whose long bur- 

 rows in the banks are sometimes a source of considerable inconvenience to the 

 agriculturist. The burrows are, however, by no means confined to the banks of 



