Mammalia. 



33 



This species is by far the commonest of the mammals found 

 in the island; in eveiy part I %-isited, it occurred in swarms. 

 During the day nothing is to be seen of it, but soon after sunset 

 numbers may be seen running about in all directions, and the 

 whole forest is filled with its peculiar querulous squeaking and 

 the noise of frequent fights. These animals, like most of those 

 found in the island, are almost completely devoid of fear, and 

 in the bush if a lantern be held out they will approach to examine 

 the new phenomenon. As may be imagined, they are a great 

 nuisance, entering the tents or shelters, running over the sleepers, 

 and upsetting everything in their search for food. They seem to 

 eat anything, and destroy any boots or skius incautiously left 

 within their reach. Their natural food appears to be mainly fruits 

 and young shoots, and to obtain the former they ascend trees to 

 a great height. I have often seen them run up the trailing stems 

 of the lianas, and, in fact, thej' can climb as well as a squirrel. 

 In the settlement they utterly destroy all the fruit they can get at, 

 and frequently come into conflict with the fruit -bats on the tops 

 of the papaia - trees. A number of dogs is kept to keep them 

 in check, and near the settlement they are certainly already less 

 niimerous than elsewlicre. 



In the daytime these rats live in holes among the roots of trees, 

 in decaying logs, and shallow burrows. They seem to breed all 

 the year round. 



In the bush beaten tracks a few inches broad may often be seen, 

 and Mr. Eoss informs me that these are made by rats travelling 

 in great numbers in search of food. I never had an opportunity 

 of observing this, and am not sure whether it is this species or 

 3Ius natifitatis which makes the paths. 



The measurements of the specimens of this species in the present 

 collection are given below : — 



D 



