CHAPTER VIII 



RATS 



The most cruel, most destructive, and most hateful of all 

 the vermin of the Marshlands are the rats. 



Experienced rat-catchers of the Broadlands distinguish 

 three kinds. 



1. The largest is rabbit-coloured, with a yellow chest. 



2. The next is the large brown rat, verging to a red. 



3. The smallest is the little red rat. 



I. Big Rat, with Yellow Chest. 



Experienced marsh -ratters assure me they have killed 

 tnis formidable creature two feet in length, and weighing 

 two pounds. I myself saw one killed that measured twenty- 

 one inches. 



This fierce, brave, and detestable animal frequents barns, 

 corn-stacks, and hedgerows close to buildings, often resorting 

 to the warrens in the summer-time. 



In March, when the reeds rustle and the marshland is an 

 arrangement in blue and gold, the old pairs begin to build 

 their nests of the handiest materials — grass, straw, wool, 

 paper, and rags all serving their turn. The nest, "like a 

 rabbit's nest," is usually placed in a roundish hole near some 

 warm spot, such as a bullock-shed or heated manure-heap. 

 And the wise old Jack and his partner are careful that 

 they have several exits and entrances, four being the usual 

 number, though I have seen a nest with only one entrance ; 

 but that was incautious. In this cosy nest the litter of 

 fifteen ratlings is born, and very fierce are the parents at 



