White. — On Babbit.s, Weaseh, and .S'jxnvoa's. 



L>01 



Black Eat, which in uiost parts is now comparatively rare, or 

 ■quite extinct. This invading rat has now been carried by 

 commerce all over the world, and in New Zealand has com- 

 pletely exterminated a native rat, which the Maoris allege 

 they brought with them in their canoes from their home in 

 the Pacific." The following measurements have been taken 

 roughly in inches : — 



• The head of Maori Eat l|in., 21. decumanus and rattn-i 

 2in., from point of nose to top of head. Hind-leg of Maori Eat, 

 lin. ; of the other two species, Ifin. These are not measure- 

 ments of the bone, but outside the hair — i.e., from tip of nose 

 to terminal hairs for length of body — this makes the tail 

 shorter than would show in the bone-measurement. 



[Note. — I have, since writing, taken seven worms from 

 pauncli of Black Eat, over 2in. long, stiff and wiry. The 

 sheen of Black Eat is dark-purple.] 



AiiT. XXIV. — On Babbits, Wea.-iels, niul Sparroas. 

 By T.WLOK White. 



lEi'ud befori' tJie l-fawJcc's Bay PhUosopJiiccd Tnslilnt'\ 13th Octobn; 



1800.] 



I AM sorry to see from newspaper report that the members of 

 the Hawke's Bay Eabbit Board have decided against the im- 

 portation of weasels. As this subject is sure to be considered 

 again, sooner or later, it may be worth while to say a few 

 words in favour of the weasel and its introduction to oui- 

 lauds. So far as I understand, the objection brought forward 

 may be called a fear that " the balance of nature " sliould In- 

 upset — i.e., Wliat are the weasels to do when the rabbits are 

 killed? Very well, so far. But let n.ie put several questions 

 which mav throw licht on the matter. How far back in the 



