BLACK RAT 



The Black Rat is subject to variation both in colour 

 and size. It measures about seven inches, exclusive of 

 the long thin tail, which accounts for another seven 

 inches or more. As a rule, the fur can best be described 

 as greyish-black on the upper parts, with ash colour 

 underneath. The somewhat pointed head is well set 

 off by the large ears and round, bright eyes. 



Whatever opinions one may hold respecting these 

 four-footed pests, one good trait in their character must 

 be referred to, and that is their unfailing solicitude 

 towards their young. In addition, Rats are very cleanly 

 in habit, though so often resorting to, and feeding among, 

 such insanitary retreats. As a matter of fact, it is because 

 they clear away distasteful offal that one is able to say a 

 good word in their favour, and if they did not come into 

 contact with human beings, and thus disseminate disease, 

 all would be well. They are, however, disease agents, 

 or carriers, and, in view of this, and the damage 

 they commit, it is highly essential their numbers 

 should be reduced so as to be kept within respectable 

 limits. 



The preponderance of the Brown Rat in this, the 

 twentieth, century, has also to be accounted for by the 

 rapidity with which it multiplies, and its much larger 

 litter of young ; for whereas the Black Rat produces a 

 small Utter of three, its brown relative is ill-content unless 

 it has ten or more young ones. These commence to 

 breed among themselves very rapidly, and a young 

 female will bring forth her first-born when she is only 

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