58 



My Pond. 



and awakens his curiosity and affection. Many a time 

 have I had my train of meditation suddenly interrupted 

 by the plop of one of them from the bank — a sound 

 they invariably made when descending into the water 

 thus, and almost the only sound they do make — though 

 in swimming they will come towards you till they are 

 within a few yards, and then their brown-grey heads 

 will softly, suddenly disappear, leaving you doubtful 



THE WATER-VOLE. 



if you have not been dreaming, till, if you are watchful, 

 the fact is attested by just one little silvery bubble that 

 will rise at their point of disappearance. Long have I 

 sometimes watched for their reappearance at distant 

 points of the pond to be disappointed, till I learned 

 that it is the habit of the creature in these circum- 

 stances to enter its nest from under the water, having 

 at least two openings to it, which leads the family, 



