92 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



* 



THE WATEK VOLE. 



it sits up like a squirrel and munches 

 the sweet succulent part, allowing the 

 older and more fibrous portions to fall 

 into the water and float away. The 

 individual figured in our plate was in the 

 act of eating grass on the bank of a 

 stream when the photograph was secured. 

 I have also seen the animal eating the 



leaves of primroses, and common duck- 

 weed occasionally proves acceptable. 

 In the winter, turnips, mangel-wurzel, 

 potatoes and the bark of osiers are con- 

 sumed. 



The great natural enemies of the Water 

 Vole are weazels and owls, and it is 

 occasionally speared and swallowed 

 whole by the heron. 



Whilst engaged in taking the photo- 

 graphs illustrating the present article, 

 I saw two Voles engaged in battle. 

 They bit each other and boxed with 

 their fore-paws like hares, and when the 

 combat ended the vanquished animal 

 swam up stream for a little distance 

 and, landing on the bank, went 

 through a most elaborate toilet. In 

 the picture at the head of the article 

 he is seen peeping from a burrow, whilst 

 his enemy is seated in silent contem- 

 plation of his victory on a partially 

 submerged stump. 



The Water Vole brings forth from 

 two to six young ones at a litter. 



