C 92 ] 



ZOOLOGICAL. 



Bank Vole, Bell. — Arvicola pratensis, Baillon, A. riparia, Jenyns. 

 It is likely that this species is not very local in its distribution, as I 

 have lately detected it in Northumberland. Two specimens, a male 

 and female, were taken at the same time in a hang trap baited with 

 oat-meal, in the garden at Twizell. Their appearance at once at- 

 tracted my attention, as I perceived, even while they remained half 

 concealed in the holes of the trap, that their tail was longer than that 

 of the common vole, and yet very much shorter than that of the long- 

 tailed field-mouse, to which, however, the colour of the back nearly 

 approached. Upon comparing them with the descriptions given by 

 Yarrell and Jenyns, and Bell of the A. pratensis, I found them to 

 agree in every essential particular with that species. In form, the 

 bank vole is scarcely so thick and short as its congener, A. agrestis, 

 the muzzle more elongate, and the ears longer, and more distinctly 

 sieen above the fur. The hairs at the end of the tail, and which ex- 

 tend considerably beyond the bony part, are stiff and elastic. The 

 crown of the head and upper parts are of a reddish-brown inter- 

 mixed with black, the sides were inclined to grey, the under parts 

 yellowish-white, the yellow more strongly indicated on the mesial 

 line of the abdomen. The length of the head and body 3i inches, 

 of the tail 1| inches. These are the only individuals I have yet seen, 

 or at least that have attracted my attention as differing from the com- 

 mon vole. It is likely, however, that it will be found upon investi- 

 gation a plentiful species. — P. J. S. 



Arvicola pratensis — My friend R. M. Lingwood, Esq. captured a 

 specimen of this little animal, in my presence, at his house, High- 

 lands, near Uckfield, Sussex, on the 16th of January 1837. This 

 adds another county to those of which it is recorded as being a na- 

 tive C. C. Babington. 



Rhea. — Mr Darwin has brought home among his other zoological 

 treasures, specimens of a new or second species of Rhea, which ap- 

 pears to take the place of the old species in Patagonia. It is distin- 



