Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/539

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Polecats in Suffolk.—I have to record the capture of three more specimens of Mustela putorius in North-west Suffolk, two of which I examined in the flesh at Bury St. Edmunds on Nov. 16th, and could have purchased. All three came from the headquarters of this species in the Mildenhall district.— (Tostock Rectory, Suffolk).

Notes on the Bank Vole.—The Bank Vole (Microtus glareolus) from Kent, referred to by Mr. Oxley Grabham (ante, p. 477), is undoubtedly a large one, exceeding in length by half an inch the longest specimen from East Suffolk, whose dimensions I have taken. For the purpose of comparison it may be worth while recording the dimensions of some of the largest examples, among a number of individuals from the parish of Blaxhall, in Suffolk, carefully measured at various times. All the specimens whose measurements are here given exceed the average size of this little animal.

The delicate fawn or orange tint with which the under surface of the body of adults is at times found to be suffused appears to me to be most pronounced in the winter, when the fur is in its best condition; but to determine this point further observation is needed. Two females caught here in January had the fur upon the abdomen beautifully stained with bright fawn-colour, while a male also taken in January had very little of that tint. Another male, in the month of February, was only slightly tinted. A third male, caught in March, was also but faintly stained with