1312 



THE RODENTS 



from Central Asia, and made their way westward. In Paris it appeared about the 

 middle of the eighteen century, and it is generally supposed to have first reached 

 England in 1730. 



In appearance the brown rat is unfortunately too well known to need much 

 description, although it is advisable to point out the features by which it is dis- 

 tinguished from its cousin the black rat. In form this species is characterized by its 

 heavy build, massive blunt muzzle, comparatively-small ears, and relatively-short 

 tail; the length of the tail being always less than that of the head and body (eight 

 to nine inches), and usually not exceeding that of the body alone. The color of the 

 upper parts is usually grayish brown, while the under surface is white, but black 



Jfl'l 



Habits 



THE BROWN RAT. 



(One-half natural size. ) 



varieties are often met with, which in Ireland have been regarded as indicating a dis- 

 tinct species. 



The brown rat is a far more powerful animal than the black species, 

 which has not a chance against its stronger rival, although curiously 

 enough it is stated that on some ships the two kinds may be found living together. 

 The following anecdote, related by the late Mr. Frank Buckland, illustrates in a 

 striking manner the superior power and at the same time the extreme ferocity of the 

 brown rat. "A London rat catcher," writes the narrator, " shut up together in a 

 cage the result of his day's work, consisting of several dozen rats, of both species, 

 and put them away carefully for the night, their intended fate being to afford sport 

 for his employer's dogs the next morning. What was his astonishment when he 



