NOTES ON THE MAMMALS AND BIRDS OF ROUSAY. 49 



Grey Seal (Halichoerus gryphus). Very rare, and 

 I could not be certain that I saw this seal on more 

 than two occasions — in October and November, 

 When in the water their heads have a more 

 angular and sharp appearance than the Firth Seal^ 

 whose head is round like a bulldog's. 



RODENTIA. 



Fam. Muridce. 



Common Mouse (Mus inuscidus). Very common 

 everywhere. 



Brown Rat (Mus decumanus). Said to have been 

 imported at one time to Rousay; but although they 

 increased for a little, they i:>resently died out — the 

 only instance on record, I should say, of this 

 destructive beast doing such a thing. Certainly I 

 never saw or heard of one during my residence 

 there. 



Fam. ArvicoUda'. 



Common Field Vole (Arvicola a(/resfis). Ex- 

 tremely abundant all through the island, their 

 burrows and runs api:>earing in every direction. 

 Every bird and beast seems to eat the Field Vole, 

 and dogs devour them greedily. 



Fam. LeporidiL'. 



Common Hare (Lepus tiniidus). An introduced 

 species, more abundant in the south-east of the 

 island owing to stricter preservation. They are 

 much more of a mud colour than those further 

 south — a sort of natural protection to them, as they 

 are not very distinct even when on the move. 



Rabbit (Lepus cuniculus). Scarce now, owing \o 



incessant persecution. They were very numerous a 



fc^v years ago. 



Cetacea 



(Odontoceti). 



Fam. Delphinidcv. 



Pilot Whale ( Glohiceplialus melas). A herd seen 



on one or two occasions. 



