244 BROWN RAT. 



form and habits, being equally an unwelcome para- 

 site of man, and finding an asylum in his habitations 

 and store-houses. In cities it frequently inhabits 

 in great numbers the drains and sewers, whence i 

 makes its way into the houses ; in maritime towns 

 it often takes up its abode in the quays, among 

 piles of wood, in buildings along the shores, or 

 wherever it finds a secure retreat. But it is not 

 confined to cities and villages, but establishes colo- 

 nies in farm-steadings, on the banks of canals and 

 rivers, and even in islands at a considerable distance 

 from the mainland, or from larger islands to which 

 it has been introduced by shipping. Thus, on 

 many of the islets of the Hebrides it is found in 

 considerable numbers, feeding on grass, shell-fish, 

 and Crustacea, and burrowing in the banks ; for 

 although not essentially amphibious, like the Water- 

 Rat, it does not hesitate on occasion to betake itself 

 to the water, and flocks have been seen swimmin* 

 from one island to another. 



It is a very cleanly animal, for even when it? 

 residence is in a ditch or sewer in the midst of al 

 sorts of filth, it almost invariably preserves itse*. 

 from pollution ; and in parts remote from towns its 

 fur is often possessed of considerable beauty, al- 

 though, on account of the injury it inflicts upon us, 

 and the abhorrence with which in childhood we are 

 taught to regard it, few persons will be apt to dk 

 cover much beauty in a Rat. Its food consists ol 

 almost every kind of animal and vegetable substance 

 eaten by other quadrupeds. In granaries and corn- 



