BRITISH MAMMALS 



feeding upon a sprig of watercress or other succulent 

 plant. Each day as we explore a little stream that 

 meanders pleasantly in Summer, but becomes a seething 

 current in Winter and flood-time, we look over the 

 bridge that spans the water for a sight of our familiar 

 friend whom we have come to regard as peculiarly our 

 own. He — Tim, the Water Vole — often disappoints 

 us in our search ; but when he does appear, it is always 

 a source of pleasure, and we never refrain from looking, 

 come good or ill. 



A capital swimmer, an adept at diving, careering 

 beneath the surface if necessity demands that it should 

 take cover, a bank-burrower of no mean order, this 

 animal is indelibly associated with quiet rural retreats 

 where Nature is seen at her best and naught disturbs the 

 stillness. There the Water Vole passes its time, swim- 

 ming, resting, breeding and feeding, and if one is 

 caught in the act of performing its toilet, a pretty peep 

 into the home-life of a wild animal may be witnessed 

 by all those who have eyes to see and hearts tuned to 

 respond. 



Attired in a greyish-brown coat, with a tinge of reddish, 

 with long, thick fur and five naked pads on the soles of 

 the long hind feet ; bright, clear eyes, a prominent 

 moustache and appeaUng manners, small wonder this 

 aquatic mammal is an established favourite with those 

 who know it best and care for it most. 



It attains a length, over all, of about thirteen inches, 



and produces a litter of five or six young in the early 

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