Tae: BLACK RAT.
A query in natural history is disturbing some of the specialists. It has been stated lately that the old English black rat, which was ousted by the coarser and more destruc- tive grey, is beginning to appear again in fair numbers. Is there really any evidence for this ? On the inquiry of a corre- spondent I have been trying to find evidence for the proof of the statement (to which I gave some publicity at the time)— and have entirely failed. I traced the discovery of one or two at Yarmouth, and there only. Mr. L. Batten, who has studied the subject, suggests that the alleged black rats are a variety of the water vole that appears to be tolerably common in Scotland and France. As to the black rat proper, " you can still find it," he says, " in Sark and possibly some other islands." According to authorities at the Zoo an oriental black rat occasionally comes up the canal from the docks ; and there is a rumour of this black rat's appearance " in the upper floors of some warehouses." What is wanted is genuine evidence of the presence of the black rat (nuts rattus) along English rivers. Is there any sign of its return ?
* * * *
Previous page
