4$' BANBICOTE, AND FERCHAL RAT® 
shape of its head and body is more compact than 
that of the former species . 
It inhabits Europe,, the north of Asia, and 
North America. Those of Canada vary to taw- 
ny and white. It burrows in the banks of rivers, 
ponds, and ditches ; feeds on small fish and fry, 
frogs, insects, and roots. It swims and dives ad- 
mirably ; but while it preys on so many other 
fishes, it becomes itself the prey of the pike. It 
brings six young at a time. This animal and the 
otter, are eaten in France on meager days. It has 
sometimes a musky smell. 
Bandicote rat. ^ 
This is a very large species, being at least equal* 
if not superior, to a rabbit in size. In its shape and 
general appearance, it seems most to resemble the 
Norway rat. Its colour is a pale cinereous brown ; 
the ears thin, nearly bare, and rounded ; the snout 
rather long ; the fore feet shaped like those of 
the Norway rat, with four toes, and a claw in 
place of a fifth ; the hind feet have five toes, of 
which the two exterior are considerably shorter 
than the rest ; the tail is above eleven inches in 
length. 
This species is said to be very common about 
the coasts of the Malabar country. At Pondi- 
cherry it is frequent, infesting houses like the 
brown rat. Its voice is said to resemble the 
grunting of a pig. 
Perchal rat. 
This species is a native of India, and in its gene- 
ral appearance resembles the Norway rat, but is of 
a longer shape, with a thicker and shorter tail in 
proportion. It is of a deep ferruginous brown above* 
