THE MAMMALS OF FLORIDA. I1g 
America about the year 1554, but it has been nearly exterminated 
by the Norway Rat. 
MUS ALEXANDRINUS Geof. 
White Bellied Roof Rat. 
A large rat, rather grayer in color than decumanus and whiter on 
the under parts. Zhe tarl 7s usually longer than the body. ‘This 
is the common rat usually to be found in houses and stables. 
MUS DECUMANUS al/las. 
Norway Rat. 
A very large rat, brown above, grayish white’ beneath ; ¢az/ rarely 
as long as the body. Claimed to have been introduced into America 
about 1775. The only Florida specimens I have seen of this species 
were taken in Jacksonville. It is probably confined to the larger 
towns and cities and not found elsewhere. 
SIGMODON HISPIDUS Say. and Ord. 
Cotton Rat. 
Fur, dark brown, tipped with tawny; under parts grayish white ; 
length, including tail, about 9.50; tail, about 3.50. 
Abundant in Northern Florida, being replaced in Middle and 
Southern Florida by the next. 
SIGMODON HISPIDUS LITTORALIS Chapman. 
South Florida Cotton Rat. 
Similar to the preceding, but decidedly darker; length, includ- 
ing tail, 9.50; tail, 3.50. 
Common in Middle and South Florida. 
ORYZOMYS PALUSTRIS NATATOR Chapman. 
Florida [Marsh Rat. 
Rather large; above brown; dusky white beneath; length, in- 
cluding tail, about 12; tail, 5.50. 
Recorded from Gainesville, Enterprise, Micco, Smyrna, and 
Flamingo. 
