I 4 4 SMALL DEER-OUR RODENTS 
always hold good. But in spite of all drawbacks, 
this vole prospers and is merry ; man has no grudge 
against him not in the southern counties at least. It 
is different in the fen lands, where he makes holes in 
the dyke-banks. The harm he unwittingly works here 
has, of course, to be stopped as speedily as may be, 
for a broken bank means drowned lands and cattle. 
One of the anglers' most entertaining companions 
would be missing if the water-vole were not by the 
river's side, for fish will not always bite. Happily > 
other creatures have their habitat in and near the 
water. The black water-vole is a beautiful species, 
or it may be he is only a well-marked variety of the 
common water-rat so called. This is a smaller animal 
than its far commoner relative, a little fellow that looks 
like a velvet ball as it sits bundled up. He frequents 
the sides of clear, slow-moving brooks. The last one 
I saw was sitting on some blossoms of meadow-sweet 
and loosestrife, which had been trampled down by 
cattle coming to drink. Doubts have been expressed 
by some I know as to the existence of these creatures 
in a locality ' within an hour of London town,' but 
there they are for all that, and within ten minutes' 
walk of my own door ; and there they will be safe 
from all collectors, or those who pt)se as such. I 
always have done my utmost to protect small deer 
