256 THE WATER RAT. 



as their stomachs will bear it, they are fed with 

 more solid food. M. de Buffon informs us, that 

 when the young ones first quit their holes, the 

 dams watch, defend, and will even fight Cats to save 

 them*. 



The name by which the Black Rat is known in 

 Wales, is llygodenjferngig: in France, Rot: in Italy, 

 rottodicasa: in Spain, raton, rata: in Portugal, 

 rato: in Germany, ratz : in Holland, rot, rotte : in 

 Sweden, rotta: in Denmark, rotte: in Poland, 

 sczurez: in Hungary, gasu, malomeger: in Russia, 

 krysa. 



THE WATER RATf. 



IN its manners and disposition, the Water Rat 

 somewhat resembles the Otter. Like that animal, 

 it forms a lodgement in the bank of some river, 

 ditch, or pond, and seeks its subsistence from the 

 adjacent water. Its prey consists chiefly of small 

 fish, frogs, and tad-poles; and where all these are 



* Buffoiij par Sonnini, xxv. p. 189. 



{ Mus amphibius. Linncem. Le Eat cTEau.- Buffon. 

 For the description of the Water Rat, see the Synopsis, p. 42, 

 No. 26. 



scarce, 



