NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



under parts are shabby white ; ears oval and almost 

 destitute of hairs ; a dark ring round the eye ; the 

 tail, which is longer than the head and body, is 

 sparingly covered with short bristles, which are 

 brown for two-thirds the length of the tail, and white 

 at the tip. 



According to Francis, the Giant Rat is known to the 

 natives at Inhambane as the Magwinga or Inyak- 

 winga. 



Genus : Saccostomus 



The Rats of this genus differ from others of their 

 tribe in possessing internal cheek pouches, short 

 limbs and tails, and the body being stout and 

 robust in appearance. 



THE POUCHED RAT 



{Saccostomus camfestris) 



The Pouched Rat inhabits the eastern parts of the 

 Cape Province, and extends up through Natal to 

 Tropical Africa. 



This Rat forms a burrow which has a separate 

 entrance and exit. In this burrow, chambers are 

 hollowed out which serve as dwellings and store- 

 houses. During the summer season the Pouched 

 Rat lays up a store of seeds for winter use. Owing 

 to its fondness for grain it often makes its home in 

 and near cultivated fields. It is also often met with 

 in plantations, and in scrub-covered localities. I 



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