144 



THE WATER VOLE 



the always set and baited Acme, Premier, Excelsior, and Perpetual, 

 in sizes catching up to twelve mice at a time, may be had of iron- 

 mongers or the manufacturers (Messrs. J. J. Thomas & Co., 

 360 and 362, Edgware Road, London). We do not, however, 

 advise the catching alive methods for outdoors, and even indoors 

 it is mainly followed to afford sport for juveniles in tempting 

 worse than useless cats to mouse. 



Mice, like rats, are readily poisoned, but within doors it is liable 

 to lead to unpleasant consequences on account of the animals dying 

 beneath flooring and in outbuildings, quite apart from the poison 

 or the poisoned rats and mice being consumed by cats and 'dogs. 

 Waterton's recipe is still in vogue, viz., Two pounds of coarse brown 

 sugar and one dessert-spoonful of arsenic are thoroughly mixed 

 with as much oatmeal as would fill an ordinary washhand basin. 

 Dose, a tablespoonful placed from time to time in the runs frequented 

 by the rats or mice. Shallow vessels of water should be placed 

 near the poison in order that the animals may attempt to quench 

 their thirst induced by the arsenic, and thus die on the spot instead 

 of in their holes. 



VOLES. The Water-Vole certainly does considerable damage 

 to embankments of streams, ponds and reservoirs, hence an enemy 



FIG. 93. MUSK RAT TRAP SET FOR WATER VOLE. 



