240 BLACK RAT. 



willing patron. Unless in places where it is not 

 liable to molestation it feeds by night, remaining 

 concealed by day in its burrows or runs. It pro- 

 duces six or eight at a birth, and litters several 

 times in the year, depositing its blind and naked 

 young in a nest composed of dry grass, or any soft 

 materials easily produced. 



It is believed to have been originally imported 

 from the Continent, where it first made its appear- 

 ance in the beginning of the sixteenth century, and 

 is supposed to have come from the East. Vessels 

 in port were formerly liable to be infested by it, so 

 that it soon became as common in America as in 

 Europe; although in the maritime parts of that 

 country it has now become nearly as scarce as with 

 us, and from the same cause, the predominance of 

 the more enterprising and stronger Brown Rat. 



In feeding, this species holds the object, if small, 

 between its fore feet, sits on its haunches with the 

 body bent forward, and the back arched, while its 

 tail is curved along the ground. It runs with great 

 agility, and exhibits much liveliness in all its ac- 

 tions ; is remarkably cleanly, taking care to remove 

 whatever may happen to adhere to its fur, feet, or 

 head ; and, although occasionally quarrelsome, it for 

 the most part lives a peaceful life in its own com- 

 munity. In affectionate concern for its young, it 

 is not surpassed by any other animal, and were it 

 not an unwelcome guest in our dwellings and stores, 

 out confined itself to the woods and pastures, we 

 should place it among the most interesting of our 



