MAMMALS and ponds, feeding freely on water plants, the bulrush and duckweed being preferred, and sometimes doing considerable damage to the former of these two plants. In the winter and during floods it is driven to consume the bark of young trees and bushes, the maple and osier being most frequently selected, and I have seen whole bushes of maple with the branches completely barked by the water vole when hard driven for food. 29. Field Vole. Microtus agrestis, Linn. Bell — Ai-vicola agrestis. A common obese and stupid-looking crea- ture, having small eyes almost hidden in the long fur, and with a very short tail. When low-lying meadows are mown the nest of this vole is often discovered, and so far as my ob- servation has gone, is always in some depres- sion and not in a burrow. In confinement it is stupid and uninteresting, but soon becomes tame. It is becoming scarcer on account of its nests and young being constantly destroyed by the mowing machine. 30. Bank Vole. Evoiomys glareolus, Schreber. Bell — Arvicoh glareolus. Though not uncommon the present is less abundant than the last species, from which it may readily be distinguished by its less obese form, longer tail and more rufous upper parts. In habits it does not differ from the last species. 31. Common Hare. Lepus europaus, Pallas. Bell — Lepus timidus. It is unnecessary that I should further re- mark of the hare than that except for preser- vation it would speedily become extinct. Under the operation of the Ground Game Act it is even questionable whether preserva- tion will prevent its extinction. 32. Rabbit. Lepus cunicu/us, Linn. The great fertility of the rabbit, added to its burrowing habits, operate to prevent its becoming scarce.
