CGCONOMIC AND RED RAT. 
No little animals are fo refpected by the Kamt/chatkans as thefe, 
for to them they owe a delicious food; and with great joy, about 
autumn, rob the hoards, and leave there many ridiculous prefents 
by way of amends: they alfo never take the whole of their provifions, 
and leave befides a little dried ovaries of fifh for their fupport. 
But the migrations of thefe Mice, in certain years, is as extraordi- 
nary a fact as any in natural hiftory: I will only mention thofe of 
Kamt/chatka. The caufe is unknown. Doctor Pallas thinks it may 
arife from the fenfations of internal fire in that vulcanic tract, or a 
prefcience of fome unufual and bad feafon. They gather together in 
the fpring in amazing numbers, except the few that are converfant 
about villages, where they can pick up fome fubfiftance. This makes: 
it probable that the country is over-ftocked, and they quit it for 
want of food. The mighty hoft proceeds in a direct courfe weft- 
ward, and with the utmoft intrepidity fwims over rivers, lakes, and 
even arms of the fea: many are drowned, many deftroyed by water-. 
fowl, or rapacious fifh ; thofe which efcape reft awhile, to bafk, dry 
their fur, and refrefh themfelves. If the inhabitants find them in that 
fituation, they treat them with the utmoft tendernefs, and endeavour 
to bring them to life and vigor. As foon as they have croffed the 
river Penfchim, at the head of the gulph of the fame name, they turn 
fouthward, and reach the rivers Fudoma and Ochot by the middle of 
July. The fpace is moft furprifing, on confulting the map of the 
country. The flocks are alfo fo numerous, that an obferver has 
waited two hours to fee them all pafs.. Their return into Kamt/chatka, 
in Ogober, is attended with the utmoft feftivity and welcome. The 
natives confider it as a fure prognoftic of a fuccefsful chafe and 
fifhery : the firft is certain, as the Mice are always followed by mul- 
titudes of beafts of prey. They equally lament their migration, as, 
the feafon is certainly filled with rains and tempefts. 
135 
MIGRATIONS. 
