424 Quadrupeds. 



Field mouse, Mus sylvaticus. Abundant in corn-fields and about 

 gardens, rarely found in houses, and then only about their founda- 

 tions. In July, 1836, on the top of Maam Soul, one of the highest 

 hills in Strath Glass, and about 3000 or 4000 feet above the level of 

 the sea, evident traces of a colony of some small animal were seen 

 among weathered grass, rushes, &c, and debris. Mr. Jenyns (vide 

 ' Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist.' vii. 268), has received an imperfect 

 specimen of a mouse from a similar situation in Ireland, which he 

 seems to think is a small variety of Mus sylvaticus, but wishes that 

 the point may be determined by those who have fitter opportunities of 

 observation in these remote localities. It is believed that this pro- 

 vince affords many such opportunities to sportsmen and others, who 

 have it in their power thus to advance our knowledge of the British 

 Fauna. 



House or common mouse, M. musculus. 



Black rat, M. Rattus. 



* Brown or grey rat, M. decumanus. This species was seen about 

 the seaport towns on the Moray-frith, upwards of thirty years ago ; 

 since that time it has gradually moved inland, fast closing in upon 

 the north foot of the Grampian range. It has generally got the credit 

 of driving off or destroying the black rat [M. Rattus), which is now 

 scarcely to be seen in the^a^ of Moray, and only to be found in any 

 number in the upper districts. It is questionable if this be the sole 

 or chief cause of the disappearance of this species. Owing to the 

 vastly improved condition which has taken place within the above pe- 

 riod, in the structure of the farm-houses throughout the country, es- 

 pecially the introduction of slates and tiles in place of the straw thatch 

 of the roofing, the favorite haunts of the black rat are now much cir- 

 cumscribed, if not entirely done away with. It never burrowed like 

 the brown rat, which prefers drains and burrows about the floors and 

 foundations of houses, and in summer or harvest is not unfrequently 

 to be met with in the fields. 



The brown rat is a great enemy to poultry of all descriptions when 

 newly hatched. It has been found storing up provisions about its 

 nest; in stack-yards preferring wheat to other kinds of grain. An in- 

 stance has been observed in which it formed its nest under a stack of 

 barley, which was built on the ground, and had made an underground 

 communication to a stack of wheat at the distance of a few yards, 

 through which it had conveyed a number of ears of the finer grain to 

 its nest. Around its domicile were also found upwards of a dozen 

 skins of the common mouse, which had all been reflected back from 



