THE WATER RAT 



491 



The burrows of the Water Rat have been specially studied 

 by Mr L. E. Adams/ They are sometimes so numerous as to 

 cause serious damage to embankments or masonry.^ Although 

 the entrances are frequently under water, that position is probably 

 accidental, it being difficult to construct one below waterline. 

 The funnels usually run straight for a distance of about a foot, 

 after which they turn abruptly to right or left and end in an 



Fig. 83.— Complicated Burrow of Water Rat (length, 6 feet), with Nursery (N), and 

 Ventilation Hole (H), viewed from above. (Diagrammatic, from a sketch by L. E. Adams.) 



Fig. 84.— Complicated Burrow of Water Rat (length, 10 feet) ; E, E, E, E, entrances at 

 water front ; entrance on land side blackened. (Diagrammatic, from a sketch by L. E. Adams.) 



enlarged chamber. They are in such cases mere refuges into 

 which the rats may retire for a short time when frightened. 

 Sometimes they are Y-shaped with two terminal chambers, 



1 They were also described, although not altogether accurately, by P. H. Emerson, 

 [Norfolk, 332). 



2 See, for instance. Zoologist, 1845, 858 (Anon.); S. Gurney, junr., /<3«m at., 

 1851, 3265. 



