William Thompson

“ The presence of three generations of this animal, in the same stack, with a great number of the Mus decumanus, speaks I think decisively against the latter species destroying them.Mr. Edward Benn, who has frequently heard of the capture of black rats with white spots on their breasts, had it always described to him as being shorter in the tail than a second species of black rat, also described to him, and which was, perhaps, Mus rattus, a specimen of which, as already mentioned, he procured for me, in December, 1842. ”

“ There were three generations- of them, viz.- two adults, several well grown, but apparently not mature, and a number of young ones.They were nearly all killed by himself, and neither before nor since were any seen about the place. ”

“ Its weight is 1 lb. 3 oz. ; it is a male. It is wholly black, except a white elongate marking, an inch and half long, upon the breast, and a little white on the toes.
Length from snout to base of tail 11 inches 0 lines Length of tail, which is imperfect 8 inches 3 lines Length of head 2 inches 8 lines Length of ears 10 and 1/2 lines "March 1st, 1851.- Black Rat, with white spot on breast.- A very fine one was sent me by Mr. ”