36 



THE GUERNSEY VOLE. 



"The average measurements of my specimens are as 

 follows : — 



" Head and body 108*5 mm., tail 37*4 mm., hindfoot 

 17*2 mm. ; this is a low average, including as it does many 

 specimens not fully grown. The type measures : — H. and b. 

 118 mm., tl. 42 mm., h. ft. 18'5 mm. Males and females 

 showed no difference in size. 



" As to the frequency of the Guernsey Yole I have but 

 little data to offer. They appeared fairly common in certain 

 hedges at St. Martin's (the only parish in which I was able 

 to trap) and seemed to be well known (as fc< mulots ") by the 

 neighbouring farmers. Plagues of field voles have been re- 

 corded in ancient times and have occurred fairly recently both 

 in Great Britain and on the continent ; but I have not heard 

 of such an unhappy event ever having taken place in Guernsey. 

 Possibly the fact that the Island is under such an intense 

 state of cultivation, together with the predilection which cats 

 share with stoats and many of the rapacious birds as kestrels 

 and owls for vole flesh, prevents a too rapid increase in modern 

 times. 



" As Mr. Sinel has conclusively proved Guernsey to be 

 so much older as an island than Jersey, it may be wondered 

 that Microtus sarnius is not found in the latter island as 

 well. But the presence of a Bank Yole (Evotomys ccesarius) 

 in Jersey may account for its absence, in the same way that 

 the introduction of the common Grey Rat explains the dis- 

 appearance of the old Black Rat in haunts where once it was 

 common. Millais in his book on British Mammals seems to 

 give colour to this theory when — writing of the common bank 

 vole {Evotomys glareolus) — he says ' if caught in a trap with 

 the field vole, the latter has no chance, it is killed and eaten 

 without ceremony.' 



" To obtain a more precise account of the Guernsey Yole, 

 it is necessary to stay in its vicinity for some time ; traps 

 should be laid all through the year to note changes of peltage, 

 times of breeding, and variation. Its habits should be recorded 

 from specimens kept in captivity (they may easily be taken 

 alive in ordinary box-traps, and form most entertaining pets, 

 which have the additional qualification of giving but little 

 trouble). If members of the Guernsey Natural Science Society 

 could be induced to take this trouble they would obtain much 

 useful knowledge for all interested in the subject. 



" There are also other small mammals in Guernsey of 

 which but little is known. The local Stoat is likely to prove 

 new to science, and only awaits the confirmation afforded by a 

 few other adult specimens, to be described as such. The Bat 

 fauna is very indifferently known, and— considering the prox- 

 imity of continental species — new records would not be a 



