VERREAUX'S RAT 



This Rat is reddish-brown on the back, the fur, 

 according to Sclater, being sprinkled with fine, dark 

 hairs which are more pronounced along the middle 

 of the back ; sides paler than the back ; below, 

 including the feet, pure white ; the ears, which are 

 large, are covered with short reddish hairs on both 

 sides. 



Length of head and body 5 to 6 inches ; tail 

 same length, and covered towards the tip with 

 dark purplish-coloured hairs. 



The habits of this species are the same as those 

 of the Black-tailed Rat. 



VERREAUX'S RAT 



(Rattus verreauxi) 



VERREAUX'S RAT occurs in the south-western parts 

 of the Cape Province. The fur is of a fawny- 

 brown colour on the back, profusely sprinkled with 

 black ; sides paler ; under parts pure white, but, 

 unlike the preceding species, the fur has slaty 

 bases ; a black ring is present round the eye, which 

 extends to the roots of the whiskers ; tip of the nose 

 white ; feet white. Length of head and body 4 to 

 4! inches ; tail a good deal longer, bi-coloured, and 

 towards the tip the hairs become longer, forming a 

 distinct white brush. It can be distinguished from 

 the preceding species by the presence of ten 

 mammae instead of six. 



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