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The mammalia of the Maltese islands are re- 

 presented by a few well known European forms. 

 The wild animals are the weasel, hedgehog, rabbit, 

 Norway rat, several species of mouse, and the horse- 

 shoe and long eared bats. 



The weasel is the solitary representative of the 

 carnivora and is a determined foe to the rabbit- 

 It is seldom seen, living as it does in dikes and 

 stony places. The hedgehog prefers the cultivated 

 districts as does also the rabbit. This latter animal 

 was formerly strictly preserved at certain places 

 such as Corradino Hill, the neighbourhood of Fom- 

 e-rieh, the island of Comino, etc., by the Knights, 

 no Maltese sportsman being allowed to shoot or 

 otherwise destroy it. It is said that in less than 

 seven years Sir H. C. Ponsomby when Governor 

 of Malta had 11,000 rabbits killed off near Marfa. 

 Eabbits in Malta are less warmly clad in fur than 

 their English family connexions. Marl heaps along 

 the shore are convenient for burrowing purposes, 

 but men and weasels are terrible foes to them. 

 The little horse-shoe bat (Phinolophus hipposiderosj 

 is often seen during the summer, and is sometimes 

 tempted forth by a mild day in winter. The long 

 eared bat (Plecotus communis) which has relatives 

 both in Southern Europe and Northern Africa, finds 

 a home in the caverns and catacombs of Citta Vecchia. 

 The Norway rat and common mouse are certainly 

 by no means extinct. 



