RATS. 



443 



been an object of home economy. The Guinea-fowl, 

 though common as a wild bird in the southern plains 

 of Jamaica, is only known on the north side in a state 

 of domestication. I cannot find what is the prevail- 

 ing colour of the Rabbit of the hot regions of Asia 

 and Africa. If it be silver-sable, it yields to the in- 

 fluence which gives black as the predominant colour 

 of our hogs, and brindle as that of our cows ; while 

 dark mingled tints more or less characterise the 

 dappled and speckled covering of our goats and 

 sheep.* In the moonlight nights our Rabbits are 

 seen strolling abroad, and resorting to the open 

 savannas ; in the day they confine themselves to the 

 shelter of the pinguin hedges, or to the thickets 

 about their haunts." 



RATS. 



Rats and Mice are numerous in all parts of the 

 island that I am acquainted with. The former pre- 

 sent much diversity in size, colour, and proportions, 

 and appear to constitute several species. They are 

 bold and voracious; inhabit houses, hollow trees, 

 holes beneath roots, and fences; and are common 

 from the shore to the summits of the mountain 

 ridges. I think I have identified the common Brown 

 and Black Rats of Europe, and another species, 

 among those vv'hich are abundant. f 



* The wild Rabbit of Africa is of a russet hue like the European 

 breed. The species is confined to the Mediterranean shores of that 

 continent. 



f My esteemed friend, G. R. Waterhouse, Esq., the highest au- 

 thority on all that concerns the Rodentia, has kindly favoured me 

 D 6 



