_Black Rat_ (Vol. vii., p. 206.).--In reply to the question of MR. SHIRLEY
HIBBERD, whether the original rat of this country is still in existence, I
may mention, that in the agricultural districts of Forfarshire, the Black
Rat (_Mus rattus_) was in existence a few years ago. On pulling down the
remains of an old farm-steading in 1823, after the building of a new one,
they were there so numerous, that a greyhound I had destroyed no fewer than
seventy-seven of them in the course of a couple of hours. Having used
precautions against their lodgment in the new steading, under the floors,
and on the tops of the party walls, they were effectually banished from the
farm.