1 I lii enemy is seated in silent contemplation of his victory on a partially 



submerged stump." 



THE WATER VOLE 



T 



II K Water Vole or Water Rat, 

 as it is often erroneously 

 called, is about a foot in 

 length, one-third of this 

 being accounted for by its 

 tail, which, unlike that of 



the Common Rat, is covered 



with short, closely-adherent 

 hairs. Its head is chubby and beaver- 

 like, the ears being almost hidden by 

 the surrounding fur. As a rule it is of 

 a uniform greyish-brown colour, slightly 

 tinged with red, but not infrequently 

 black specimens may be met with, 

 especially in Scotland. 



It is common nearly all over Great 

 Britain, but is not found in Ireland, 

 although it enjoys a wide geographical 

 range in both Europe and Asia. 



The banks of sluggish streams, canals, 

 ponds, dams and ditches are its favourite 

 haunts. In these it excavates long 

 tortuous burrows. When disturbed, it 

 generally startles the wayfarer by sud- 

 denly diving into the water and swimming 

 beneath the surface to some submerged 

 hole leading to its retreat. Upon occa- 

 sion the animal propels itself through 

 the water by the use of its hind feet 

 only ; but, although it swims and dives 

 with such great facility, it is not web- 

 footed. 



The Water Vole feeds entirely upon 

 vegetables, and it is amusing to watch 

 it on a calm summer's evening dive to 

 the root of a sword-flag, gnaw a piece of 

 the plant off near the root, and swim 

 with it to some coign of vantage, where 



