CHAPTER VIII 

 RATS 



THE most cruel, most destructive, and most hateful of all 

 the vermin of the Marshlands are the rats. 



Experienced rat-catchers of the Broadlands distinguish 

 three kinds. 



1. The largest is rabbit-coloured, with a yellow chest. 



2. The next is the large brown rat, verging to a red. 



3. The smallest is the little red rat. 



i. BIG RAT, WITH YELLOW CHEST. 



Experienced marsh -ratters assure me they have killed 

 tnis formidable creature two feet in length, and weighing 

 two pounds. I myself saw one killed that measured twenty- 

 one inches. 



This fierce, brave, and detestable animal frequents barns, 

 corn-stacks, and hedgerows close to buildings, often resorting 

 to the warrens in the summer-time. 



In March, when the reeds rustle and the marshland is an 

 arrangement in blue and gold, the old pairs begin to build 

 their nests of the handiest materials grass, straw, wool, 

 paper, and rags all serving their turn. The nest, "like a 

 rabbit's nest," is usually placed in a roundish hole near some 

 warm spot, such as a bullock-shed or heated manure-heap. 

 And the wise old Jack and his partner are careful that 

 they have several exits and entrances, four being the usual 

 number, though I have seen a nest with only one entrance ; 

 but that was incautious. In this cosy nest the litter of 

 fifteen ratlings is born, and very fierce are the parents at 



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