MAMMALS OF BERMUDA. 161 



III other situations, as the shrub we have mentioned, the nest is com- 

 posed outwardly of leaves of that shrub, with softer vegetable material 

 within. In most cases the nest is generally spherical and about a foot 

 in diameter. Whenever we have surprised the tenants of these nests 

 unawares, we have always observed the young, about half or three parts 

 grown, escape, but no old ones. 



It was not until the year 1872 that we were enabled, through the 

 kindness of Prof. S. F. Baird, satisfactorily to identify the species, as in 

 common with the native inhabitants, we had always considered it as 

 merely a variety of the brown rat; bat in that year, having secured 

 two half-grown young from a nest, and perceiving a marked difference 

 in the color, especially of the under parts, we forwarded one to the 

 Smithsonian Institution for Professor Baird's opinion, who at once 

 recognized it as the white-bellied or roof rat of the Southern States. 



MUS MUSCULUS, L. 



Common Mouse. 



The common mouse is very abundant throughout the islands, but more 

 especially so where surrounding circumstances fiivor its support and 

 increase. In all dwellings and their outhouses it is to bo found ; but 

 usually where rats are numerous the mice are scarce ; for there is no 

 doubt that the smaller members of the tribe suffer greatly from the con- 

 tinued attacks of the larger ones. They are particularly numerous 

 about planting land, and do much damage to the root crops, as well as 

 to the Indian corn. We have observed them even in the center of the 

 marshes where the ground was more or less covered by water, at the 

 roots of the tall sedges, making their way over the prostrate stems. 

 It can swim well when occasion requires, and has no doubt by this means 

 introduced itself into many situations where its occurrence could not 

 otherwise be satisfactorily accounted for. We have been informed that 

 light-colored mice have been seen in different places, which the observers 

 have supposed to differ from the common species; but our own investiga- 

 tions, which have extended over several years in almost every part of 

 the group, do not allow us to concur in the supposition. 



As a somewhat curious circumstance we may state that the common 

 domestic fowl of the island will sometimes seize a mouse and eat it. 

 Bull. Nat. Mus. No. 25 11 



