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OCCASIONAL NOTES. 
Water Rats carRyiInG THEIR Younc.—Walking by the side of a 
stream early in May, I saw a large Water Rat carrying in its mouth a 
half-grown young one. While swimming the young rat was held well up 
out of the water; sometimes, however, the old one would leave the water 
and cross a bit of mud, still holding the youngster, which while in sight it 
never once dropped. It presently, however, disappeared round a bend, but 
in a few minutes I again saw it returning without its burden, which had 
doubtless been lodged in a place of safety, She seemed in a great hurry, 
and was perhaps going back for another young one. Probably the nest had 
in some way been disturbed, or was threatened with danger, and the family 
were removing to safer quarters. It seems strange, however, that the 
youngsters, which, judging by the size of the one I saw, were certainly 
pretty well half-grown, could not be trusted to follow their dam without 
help. The removal of the whole family by this means must have been no 
slight undertaking, as the distance she carried the young one, while in my 
sight, was at a rough guess from twenty to thirty yards, and she may have 
carried it some way before I noticed her; probably there were from four to 
six of them to move, that being, I believe, about the average number in a 
litter. In April, 1871, I found three nests, in, one of which the young 
were no bigger than full-grown house mice, but were covered with hair and 
could swim and dive well. The glossy fur of this little animal receives 
reflections very readily, and is I think a means provided for the safety of its 
possessor. Many persons must have noticed how difficult it is to catch 
‘sight of a Water Rat sitting perfectly still on wet mud or in some similar 
situation, by reason of the fur receiving by reflection the general tint of its 
surroundings. The same may be said of the Otter.—G. T. Ropx (Blaxhall, 
Suffolk). 
[The fact that Water Rats carry their young is not noticed by Bell 
in his ‘ British Quadrupeds,’ and is probably not generally known. We 
satisfied ourselves upon the point, however, many years ago, and have 
several confirmatory notes by other observers. See ‘The F ield,’ May 5th, 
May 27th, and June 3rd, 1876.—Ep.] 
Witp ANIMALS PAID FOR BY CHURCHWARDENS IN YORKSHIRE.—In 
looking over the minute-book of the churchwardens’ accounts for the parish 
of Bolton Perey, I came across some curious entries which may interest 
some of the readers of ‘The Zoologist.’ The book begins in the year 
1788, and from that date, till 1830, I find various entries for vermin- 
killing. At first these entries are annual, and they gradually become 
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