I agree Oceans, probably a little hand out of some sort.
I went to grab this little bank last night and some kind of little bugs literally just flowed out of the hole. It was disgusting and I was squishing bugs for about 20 minutes. I think they were just some kind water flea or something. They weren't animal fleas or lice, I have seen these in moist areas before like by the kitchen sink. Anyways, I thought I would take this opportunity to remind everyone to check for bugs and pests on antiques! I also recommend using food grade diatomaceous earth. It's not a liquid, so it won't harm paint or finishes. It's not a chemical, so it's good for the environment. I just put it on stuff, leave it a few days and then wipe it off.