30 NATURAL HISTORY 



put the matter out of doubt, whether it be a non-descript 

 species or not. 



I suspect much there may be two species of water-rats. 

 Ray says, and Linnaeus after him, that the water-rat is web- 

 footed behind. Now I have discovered a rat on the banks of 

 our little stream that is not web-footed, and yet is an excellent 

 swimmer and diver : it answers exactly to the mus amphibius 

 of Linnwus (See Syst. Nat.) which he says " natat in fossis 

 et urinatur" I should be glad to procure one (( plantis 

 palmatis." Linnceus seems to be in a puzzle about his mus 

 amphibius, and to doubt whether it differs from his mus 

 terrestris ; which if it be, as he allows, the " mus agrestis 

 capite grandi brachyuros " of Ray, is widely different from 

 the water-rat, both in size, make, and manner of life *. 



As to the falco, which I mentioned in town, I shall take the 

 liberty to send it down to you into Wales; presuming on 

 your candour, that you will excuse me if it should appear as 

 familiar to you as it is strange to me. Though mutilated 

 u qualem dices . . . ant ehac fuisse, tales cum sint reliquiae!" 



It haunted a marshy piece of ground in quest of wild-ducks 

 and snipes : but, when it was shot, had just knocked down a 

 rook, which it was tearing in pieces. I cannot make it 

 answer to any of our English hawks ; neither could I find 

 any like it at the curious exhibition of stuffed birds in Spring- 



* [This confusion, as Mr. Bennett observes, was orignated by Wil- 

 lughby, copied by Ray, and appears to have given rise to the complica- 

 tion by Linnaeus from which White's doubts and perplexities were 

 derived. The fact is that the water-vole, as it ought to be called, is, on 

 the one hand, quite distinct from the family MUEIDJE, to which the rats 

 belong, in structure as well as in habits j and on the other, the hinder 

 feet are not webbed, though the toes are connected to a short distance 

 from the base. 



The water-vole frequented both the streams of the village, near their 

 junction, a few years ago ; and I have repeatedly seen it sporting in that 

 which runs through J;he meadow below the vicarage. I have not, how- 

 ever, seen one for some years past, and believe that it has become extinct, 

 though its holes still remain in the bank. The common brown rat, from 

 its power of swimming well, appears to have given rise to some mistakes 

 among the inhabitants of the -place, who have occasionally confounded 

 the two animals. T. B.] 



