636 MR. R. SWINHOE ON CHINESE MAMMALS. [June 23, 
hairs on the back and rump broadly tipped with black. Under- 
parts dingy, tinged with ochreous. Moustache-hairs long, fine, and 
dark. Identified by Dr. Peters. 
This Rat is found in country villages and outplaces about Amoy, 
and would seem to be an earlier introduction than the M. decumanus, 
from the face of which it has probably retired. The latter is the 
only species one sees in the town. It is difficult now to discover 
what were the House-rats of China before the introduction of the 
three last-named species. In villages and country towns, where 
the latter have not established a footing, Country-rats, which 
often scale trees, are found entering houses and running about 
the streets. In Formosa, where the Commercial Rats are not so 
widely extended, several species of these Country-rats occur; but in 
China I have as yet only noticed the M. rufescens. 
0. Mus coxinea. (Spinous Country-rat.) 
Mus coxinga, Swinhoe (errore coninga), P. Z. 8.1864, pp. 185, 382. 
Most numerous in the north of Formosa, less so in the south- 
west. I have not heard of it in China. Does not appear to enter 
large towns, but is found abundant in villages of the interior, to 
which the bigger Rats have not reached. 
61. Mus rurescens, Gray. (Chestnut Country-rat.) 
Mus flavescens, Elliot. 
This species was determined by Dr. J. E. Gray from specimens 
I brought home in 1862. It used to occur in the gardens at Amoy, 
and I have several times seen it running up and down trees in the 
daytime. I jotted down the following note on a specimen I shot 
at Amoy on the 17th May 1859:—Length of body 4:3; tail 3°8; 
head 1:5; ear *7, large and oval. Fur short and soft, with a few 
long soft hairs interspersed. Moustache formed of long, delicate, 
black and white hairs. Upper parts pale reddish brown, ochreous 
about the head; underparts whitish; all the under-fur slaty grey. 
Tail sealed as usual, and set with many short pointed sete. 
This Rat is found also in many parts of India. I have not 
noticed it in Formosa. 
02. Mus canna, sp. nov. (Silken Country-rat.) 
Mus ?, Swinhoe, P. Z. S. 1864, p. 382. no. 26. 
3. Length 5°5; tail 5°25; ear bare, 6 high, oblong, rounded at 
tip. Hind foot from tarsal joint 1-4. Hair short, soft, and mouse- 
like. Front teeth narrow and slender, with orange surface. Upper 
parts and legs brown, tinged with light chestnut, more conspicuous 
on the head and along the sides; underparts dingy ochreous; tail 
light brown, nearly naked, with minute inconspicuous sete. Under- 
fur light slaty. It resembles the immature of M. indicus, but has 
smaller feet, and a soft silky pelage. 
A Rat affecting villages in the country near Tamsuy, Formosa, and 
ascending trees. 

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