THE FIELD VOLE OR GRASS MOUSE
(Microtus agrestis)
A small - brown - furry - short eared - short tailed mouse - the meadow vole depends on grass for both food and shelter. It is widespread in Europe and varies a good deal but - whatever the subspecies - it is ever the same inoffensive beast watched over by owl and kestrel - buzzard and fox - weasel and stoat. Yet - despite the efforts of these predators - it is subject to periodic fluctuations when it may become excessively numerous. A vole plague is a serious thing - the swarming voles eating all greenery - but disease breaks out and they vanish for the time being.