EATS. 
443 
been an object of home economy. The Guinea-fowl, 
though common as a wild bird in the southern plains 
of Jamaica, is only known on the north side in a state 
of domestication. I cannot find what is the prevail- 
ing colour of the Rabbit of the hot regions of Asia 
and Africa. If it be silver-sable, it yields to the in- 
fluence which gives black as the predominant colour 
of our hogs, and brindle as that of our cows ; while 
dark mingled tints more or less characterise the 
dappled and speckled covering of our goats and 
sheep.* In the moonlight nights our Rabbits are 
seen strolling abroad, and resorting to the open 
savannas ; in the day they confine themselves to the 
shelter of the pinguin hedges, or to the thickets 
about their haunts.” 
RATS. 
Rats and Mice are numerous in all parts of the 
island that I am acquainted with. The former pre- 
sent much diversity in size, colour, and proportions, 
and appear to constitute several species. They are 
bold and voracious ; inhabit houses, hollow trees, 
holes beneath roots, and fences; and are common 
from the shore to the summits of the mountain 
ridges. I think I have identified the common Brown 
and Black Rats of Europe, and another species, 
among those which are abundant, f 
* The wild Rabbit of Africa is of a russet hue like the European 
breed. The species is confined to the Mediterranean shores of that 
continent. 
f My esteemed friend, G. R. Waterhouse, Esq., the highest au- 
thority on all that concerns the Rodentia, has kindly favoured me 
u 6 
