BY K. H. BENNETT. 449^ 



to making numerous burrows like the present animal, they also 

 constructed large heaps of sticks, the rotting remains of which 

 are after so many years still observable. Beneath these heaps 

 they made large nests of soft dried grasses, the nests being placed 

 in a shallow central hollow on the surface of the ground which 

 was reached by burrows or tunnels from the outside beneath the 

 pile of sticks. This invasion was accompanied by hundreds of 

 hawks [Elaims scriptus), and various species of owls, which preyed 

 on the rats. On this occasion neither hawks or owls have accom- 

 panied them. 



In 1874 whilst on an exploring trip in search of sheep country 

 in the Barrier Ranges, T come across numbers of these heaps 

 tenanted by rats, and on setting fire to them as many as a dozen 

 rats would run out, but as I did not take much notice of them I 

 am unable to say whether they wei'e identical with the present 

 species or not. The hawks (B. scrijJtus) and owls were there in 

 great numbers. 



