THE BRITISH MAMMALS : THEIR GENERA AND SPECIES. 49 



table from root to fruit, and increases rapidly, there being three or four 

 litters in a year of from four to seven at a time, which spend their 

 short infancy in a nest of leaves and moss placed in some sheltered 

 hollow of the ground. It ranges all over Northern and Central 

 Europe, but is not found in Ireland. 



The Water Vole is often mis-called the Water Rat, and credited 

 with feeding on birds and fishes, whereas it is a strict vegetarian, 

 and the most harmless of rodents. In general colour it is dark 

 brown, but there is a good deal of black and grey about thethickish 

 fur. Though of aquatic habits, feeding almost entirely on water 



Elants, and living in a long burrow in the bank of the stream or 

 ike, its feet are not webbed. The soles are bare and flesh-coloured, 

 and on the hind pair are five pads. The head and body measure 

 eight inches or over, and the tail is about half as long. The teeth are 



WATER VOLE. 

 (Microtus amphibius.) 



rootless. In the upper jaw the third molar has four prisms, so has the 

 second, but the first has five. In the lower jaw the third molar has 

 three prisms, the second five, the first seven. The ears have an opercu- 

 lum, and are so small as to be hidden in the coat. The claws are purple; 

 those on the hind feet are long, those in front are short and com- 



Cressed. It makes its own burrow, which generally has an entrance 

 elow the surface of the water. There are three or four litters in a year, 

 the number of young at a birth ranging from two to seven. It can easily 

 be distinguished from the rats by its bulkier build, inconspicuous 

 ears, and much shorter tail. When undisturbed it swims with its 

 hind legs, and holds its forepaws close to the body. It is found in 

 most British streams, and its area of distribution extends as far 

 east as China, but does not include Ireland. 



The Bank, or Red Vole, is chestnut brown, with grey sides and 

 paler underparts, and the dark brown tail is very hairy and whitish 

 on the underside. The head and body measure four inches, which is 

 about double the length of the tail. Unlike the other two species, 

 the molars have well-defined roots, which is so distinctive a feature 

 that this and other voles with similar double-rooted molars have 

 been grouped in a genus by themselves (Evotomys). In the upper 



