THE BROWN RAT 



THE BROWN RAT 



Mus decumanus, Pallas. 

 Plate 30. 



The Brown or Common Rat, known also as 'Norway Rat' and 

 'Hanoverian Rat' is too familiar to require much description, and 

 is distinguished from the Black Rat by its stouter form, rounder 

 head and muzzle, smaller ears, and comparatively short and more 

 scaly tail. The whiskers are also less plentiful and not so long. 



The colour above is a tawny greyish brown, darkened with 

 numerous black hairs along the ridge of the back, the under parts 

 are dull white. Full grown specimens vary much in size, but they 

 often attain a length of 9 inches in the head and body, and ']\ 

 inches in the tail. 



An exceptionally large example examined by Mr. Millais in Sussex 

 had a total length from nose to tip of tail of 19^ inches, and 

 another has been recorded of 23 inches. 



The original habitat of this species, like that of the Black Rat, 

 is uncertain, but the more temperate parts of Siberia are considered 

 to have been an ancient nursery of the race. 



According to Pallas the species moved westwards in hordes in 

 1727. Invading Russia and other neighbouring countries, it appeared 

 in England before 1730, where it soon settled down and rapidly 

 increased in numbers, but did not reach Scotland till after 1764. 



No other animal is so deservedly unpopular as the Common Rat. 

 Universally hated and with every man's hand against it, it never- 

 theless contrives to exist and increase in numbers in spite of all 



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