Notes on the Haivaiian Rat. 



15 



smaller native rat, yet not enough to attract the larger introduced 

 animals from the richer pastures around the human dwellings or 

 in the sugar-cane fields inland. On the dunes the mongoose is a 

 rare visitor. Its nature is to stay close to cover, and a place bare 

 of stones and without thick grass probably would not appeal as 

 good hunting ground. 



The writer would suggest that a study of conditions similar 

 to those of the Hawaiian group, in the islands of the South and 

 West Pacific, might demonstrate that the other species of Oceanian 

 rats, now believed to be rare or extinct, are yet to be found alive.' 

 It is a matter for zoologists to follow up if the suggestion be deemed 

 worthy of consideration. 



Some of the Popoian rats were kept alive in Honolulu, as 

 reported to Dr. Stone. The intention was to breed them and dis- 

 tribute the progeny among some of the more distant small islets 

 where they could work no harm and might be preserved from their 

 introduced enemies. The record is herewith : — 



PIRST CAGE. 

 May II, 1915. No. o $ and No. 9016 9 trapped, placed together. 

 June II, 1915. No. 9040 9 added to pair. No. o $ and No. 9016 5 mated. 

 June28, 1915. No. 9016 9 died in parturition. 

 June 28, 1916. No. 9040 9 died. 

 At date. No. o ^ on hand, alive. 



SECOND CAGE. 



Sept. 19, 1915. No. 9024 $ and No. 9017 9 trapped, placed together. 

 Sept. 22, 1915. No. 9017 9 died. 

 Nov. 29, 1915. No. 9024 $ died. 



Observations on the habits of the rats have been conducted 

 with difficulty on account of the extreme shyness of the animals. 

 The cages were fastened just outside window sills so that the ani- 



' Skeletal material might be found in old Polynesian temples. In the notes 

 sent to Dr. Stone it was mentioned that the fishermen's religious offerings 

 of food (fish, meat, fruit and vegetaljles) had served to sustain the Kahoo- 

 lawe rats. The specimens found on the Wailuku ruins were, ])robably, all 

 comparatively recent, but their pre.sence calls to mind the indirect reference 

 made by many writers, native and others, to rats in Hawaiian temples. There 

 the rodents would find ample shelter among the loose stones, and live on the 

 fat of the land. The food offerings were abundant and varied. "Poor as a 

 church mouse" could not be said of the Hawaiian temple rat. In Tahiti par- 

 ticularly, where worship and offerings were very similar to the Hawaiian, a 

 search might bring results which would aid materially in identifying Peale's 

 Mus exulans. [265] 



