THE MAMMALS OF THE BRISTOL DISTRICT. 
59 
The Otter. — Lutra vulgaris (Erxl.) 
The Otter is still fairly common in the Bristol Avon and the Axe, 
and the smaller streams like the Yeo are still its haunts ; it must have 
been at one time common in the lower reaches of the Avon. 
The Common Seal. — Phoca vitulina (Linn.) 
An accidental visitor. “ One was shot at Clevedon in March, 
1874” (Victoria History of Somerset). 
RODENTIA. 
The Squirrel. — Sciurus vulgaris (Linn.) 
This elegant little animal is plentiful wherever woods and planta- 
tions are found. The Squirrel may often be seen in the woods round 
Henbury and Kingsweston. “ Some years ago I kept two Squirrels, 
they were taken from the nest when very young, a cat becoming their 
foster mother ; they were exceedingly tame and made charming and 
interesting pets ” ( Victoria History of Gloucestershire ). 
The .Dormouse. — Muscardinus avellanarius (Kaup.) 
Fairly common, but local, mostly in nut woods. 
The Brown Rat. — M^is decmuanus (Pallas.) 
This destructive animal is far too abundant ; its cunning and ferocity 
are well known. I knew an instance of a Brown Rat biting a sleeping 
person through the lip. 
The Black Rat. — Mus rattus (Linn.) 
It still occurs, sometimes commonly, in Bristol warehouses and 
factories. 
The Alexandrine or Ship Rat. — Mus Alexandrinus (Ceof.) 
Not common, but often on board ships and about the harbour and 
docks at Bristol. It breeds freely with the Black Rat, and produces 
hybrids combining the markings of both species. It seems probable 
that Mus rattus is a melanic form of Mus Alexandrinus^ which is the 
common form in Southern Europe, Egypt, (fee., and that these two are 
not true species, but are related forms like M. decmuanus and its 
melanic form M. hibernicus. 
The House Mouse. — Mus musculus (Linn.) 
This species is too common everywhere. 
The Long-tailed Field Mouse. — Mus sylvaticus (Linn.) 
This wide ranging species is very common throughout the district ; 
and where over abundant very destructive. In captivity it becomes 
very tame and attached to its cage ; it makes a most interesting pet j 
it is very active and takes the most astonishing leaps. 
