SHORT-TAILED FIELD VOLE 



Feeding as it does upon clover, grass, seeds, fruit, 

 corn, turnips, potatoes, and other useful crops, the Field 

 Vole is to be regarded as an enemy of the agriculturist, 

 and it also takes roots, berries, beech-mast and nuts. 

 In addition to being a ravenous feeder, the rate at which 

 this species multiplies, and its consequent plentiful 

 distribution, must be taken into account. If a horde of 

 Voles take possession of a tract of land where crops are 

 growing, nothing can prevent wholesale devastation of 

 the area infested, and we are reminded in this respect of 

 the enormous visitations of countless millions of Mos- 

 quitoes in sunnier lands than our own. 



From four to eight young are produced in a litter, 

 several litters being forthcoming during the season. 

 The nest, constructed of dry grasses and moss, with a 

 lining of the finer portions of same, is placed under 

 ground. The animal may be known, as its name in- 

 dicates, by its short tail, the entire length of body and 

 tail being only five or six inches. It is dull greyish- 

 brown on the upper parts, with greyish-white under- 

 neath. It is not so active of movement as the Long- 

 tailed Field Mouse, and our observations lead us to 

 conclude that it often falls a prey to the Kestrel, whose 

 efi"orts to secure food deserve more success than they 

 usually receive. As one watches this bird of prey, 

 the commonest species now left to us, one cannot but 

 admire its industry and perseverance when it is hunting 

 for a supply of food. 



Bank Vole. — This species (Fig. 14), the last rodent 



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