314 THE WATER-EAT OR WATER-VOLE. 



cross the water-front of another, it does so, as 

 far as is possible, by keeping to the water. Should 

 it, while crossing, see the owner of the property, 

 it at once quickens its pace almost to a stampede. 

 It would seem that they at all times expect attack 

 from members of their own race, except from those 

 with whom they are associated, and to whom they 

 are probably related. 



Very often the clans are distinct from each 

 other not only as regards their recognised beats, 

 but also as regards their appearance. Thus it may 

 be observed that the voles occupying one corner 

 of a river are quite a different shade from those 

 across the way. This, however, is purely a matter 

 of family characteristics. 



Let us follow the establishment of a clan. A 

 male and a female water-vole who have survived 

 the merciless weeding -out of winter establish 

 themselves in a bank-burrow in the very early 

 spring, and forthwith produce children. As these 

 grow up a second family appears, and the first 

 family now disperses from the nursery-burrow, 

 each to make a home for itself quite near. The 

 various members of the family do not live to- 

 gether, but their respective homes are all on the 

 same patch of property. When they meet, it is 

 as friendly acquaintances, to nibble each other's 

 faces, or perhaps to share in the same feast. They 

 are members of the same clan. 



In due course more families, and still more, make 

 their appearance, till the congestion is relieved by 

 the older children developing ambitions of their 

 own, which lead them forth in fortune's quest. If, 

 however, the property be sufficiently productive 

 of food, the children and their children may settle 

 near, till gradually, with the growth of the colony, 



