— 
THE WATER RAT 4o1 
The burrows of the Water Rat have been specially studied 
by Mr L. E. Adams. They are sometimes so numerous as to 
cause serious damage to embankments or masonry.” Although 
the entrances are frequently under water, that position is probably 
accidental, it being difficult to construct one below waterline. 
The funnels usually run straight for a distance of about a foot, 
after which they turn abruptly to right or left and end in an 






Fic. 83.—CoMPLICATED BURROW OF WATER Rar (length, 6 feet), with Nursery (N), and 
Ventilation Hole (H), viewed from above. (Diagrammatic, from a sketch by L, E. Adams.) 






Fic. 84.—COMPLICATED BURROW OF WATER RarT (length, to feet) ; E, E, E, E, entrances at 
water front ; entrance on land side blackened. (Diagrammatic, from a sketch by L. E. Adams.) 
enlarged chamber. They are in such cases mere refuges into 
which the rats may retire for a short time when frightened. 
Sometimes they are Y-shaped with two terminal chambers, 
1 They were also described, although not altogether accurately, by P. H. Emerson, 
(Norfolk, 332). 
2 See, for instance, Zoologist, 1845, 858 (Anon.); S. Gurney, junr., Journ. cit., 
1851, 3265. 
