70 W^TER RAT. 



House Rat. The ravages which are committed in 

 this and almost all the other countries of Europe by 

 these pernicious animals, are almost incalculable. In 

 corn-ricks and barns, as well as in dwelling-houses, they 

 are equally injurious. They destroy corn, provisions, 

 clothes, and even poultry, pigeons, and game nothing 

 comes amiss to them. Their produce is enormous ; 

 namely, from ten to twenty young ones at a litter, and 

 this as often as thrice in the year. And had not 

 Providence so directed, that their natural foes should 

 be extremely numerous, it would scarcely be possible 

 for any human effort to prevent them from so far in- 

 creasing as to be detrimental, in the highest degree, to 

 mankind. 



This animal is so well known, as to need no descrip- 

 tion. 



Water Rat. In most of its habits, the Water Rat 

 has a great resemblance to the otter. It usually forms 

 its burrow in the earth, and on some spot immediately 

 adjacent to a river, ditch, or pond. Its food consists of 

 small fish, frogs, tadpoles, and aquatic plants. Even 

 potatoes have been found stored up in its hole. The 

 feet are not webbed, yet the animal is both able to swim j 

 and dive with great ease. The females usually litter in 1 

 the month of April, and produce six or eight young ones \ 

 at a birth. These rats are devoured by the pike and other i 

 voracious fish. 



The Water Rat is easily distinguished from either of j 

 the other two English kinds of rats, by its short head 

 and neck, and its hairy instead of naked and scaly 

 tail. 



