Probably a Meadow Vole

I was walking along a railroad track when I noticed movement along the edge of the railroad bed em- bankment. My first glimpse reaction was 'mouse' for it was a small mouse size; however, then I saw that the little creature had a very short tail; shorter than any mouse tail I had ever seen. It was moving slowly over the crushed rock underfoot, parallel to the grassy edge of the em- bankment. When it noticed me it halted its progress briefly, then it unhurriedly tried to burrow into the crushed rock under its feet. It could only get its head buried and the rest of its body was sticking out. Interest -ingly it did not try to run away. Being more amused than curious, after taking a few pictures I walked on.