128 J. B. CLELAND. 
vasion I and others used to sink a hole in the centre of the 
tent, in which was placed a kerosene can with its top flush 
with the ground. The upper square of tin was cut out and 
pivoted on a pin of wood, and the can half filled with water. 
The rats, walking on this trap, fell into the water and were 
drowned, more than a dozen being sometimes taken out. 
in the morning. These river rats were grey, with a long 
snout and rather thin body.”’ 
I am indebted to Mr. J. C. B. Moncrieff, of Adelaide, for 
the following note from Mr. J. G. Stewart, in reference to 
this same visitation. He says: ‘‘I was engaged about this 
time upon the survey of the railway from Hergott to Oodna- 
datta, and afterwards on the trial survey from Oodnadatta 
to the McDonnell Ranges. These rats came down in enor- 
mous numbers about 1886, and it was understood that they 
travelled from the south-west of Queensland. They were 
smaller than the ordinary rat and, I think, entirely herbi- 
vorous, and were greatly relished as food by the natives. 
They appeared to pass through the country in a south- 
westerly direction, and eventually died out; but I cannot 
say how far they reached. I remember hearing at the time 
that there had been similar visitations before, always in 
ooad seasons, but have not been able to get any information 
of such having occurred in later years.’’ 
Mr. J. C. Moncrieff’s brother, Mr. A. B. Moncrieff, also 
personally witnessed their numbers, and remarked on the 
sudden way in which they came, and then disappeared with- 
out any apparent cause. An Adelaide newspaper cutting 
also mentions that Mr. D. J. Beck had seen large numbers 
of rats which had come from the Diamantina country, 
South-west Queensland, and had extended down as far 
south as Bulloo Downs. The rats were smaller than ordin- 
ary rats, and lived in warrens. 
