Sub-Family MICROTIN^. 



THE BANK VOLE. 



Evotomys glareolus, Schreber. 

 Plate 31 



Compared with the true mice, the distinctive character of the Voles 

 lies chiefly in their short and rounded head, small eyes, short ears 

 and tail, and a general stoutness of form caused by the thick and furry 

 coat. 



Four species inhabit Great Britain, namely, the Bank Vole, the 

 Field Vole, the Orkney Vole, and the Water Vole, while various 

 sub-species have been noted. 



The most mouse-like of this group in character and form is the 

 Bank Vole, which shows considerable variation in size, English specimens 

 being usually rather smaller than those of Scotland. 



An adult male taken in Surrey measured from nose to root of tail 

 barely 3I inches, the tail alone ij| inches. 



The colour of the upper parts in autumn and winter is a dark rusty 

 brown, greyer on the flanks. The cheeks and under parts are grey, but 

 often tinged with pale buff" in the centre of the chest and belly. 

 The feet are brownish grey. In summer the russet hue on the back is 

 much brighter. 



This species is widely distributed in Europe and Asia. 



It was first described in England by Yarrel in 1832 and was 

 soon found to inhabit a wide area in Great Britain. In Scotland it 



18 



