[Illustration:
THE WATER RAT.
]
The Water Rat is somewhat smaller than the common brown Rat; its head
and nose are thicker; its eyes are small; its ears short, scarcely
appearing through the hair; its teeth are large, strong and yellow. In
an old one, the lower front teeth measure somewhat more than half an
inch in length. The hair on its head and body is thicker and longer than
that of the common Rat, and chiefly of a dark brown colour, mixed with
red; the belly is grey; the tail five inches long, covered with short
black hairs, and the tip of the tail is white. The Water Rat generally
frequents the sides of rivers, ponds, and ditches, where it burrows, and
forms its nest. It feeds on frogs, small fish, and spawn; swims and
dives remarkably fast; and can continue a long time under water.
The Musk Rat somewhat resembles the one just described. The eyes are
large; the ears short, rounded, and covered both inside and outside with
hair. Its fur is soft, glossy, and of a reddish-brown colour; and
beneath this is a much finer fur or thick down, which is very useful in
the manufacture of hats. The tail is flattened and covered with scales.
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