THE MONGOOSE.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4469, 2 May 1883, Page 2

THE MONGOOSE.

The people of Australia are about to introduce the mongoose from India, in order that the pest of rabbits may be abated. I only hope the colonists know what they are bringing upon them* selves. Some time ago a mongoose came from India in a steamer. He was a lively little urchin about the size of a polecat. His coat was wiry, and each hair looked like a miniature porcupine quill. With'his long, shaky body, his vicious-looking claws, his sharp nose and his villainous eye, he was like murder incarnate. As he sidled about on deck casting keen glances from side to side, and undulating over chains, or ropes, or stray bolts, he looked very fell < and uncanny. At night, when the dews came down, the fats would come up to sip the moisture. That was a time of rejoicing for the mongoose. His mode of working was marvellously skilful; hot even' the celebrated terrier which belonged to Mr J. Shaw could have equalled him. He crawled sinuously.up to his victim until he was within easy distance for a rush, and then struck with unerring aim, nipping the rat just at the base of the brain. The animals rarely had time, to squeak, so sudden and deadly the on- ' slaught. In a single watch the mongoose would leave his traces from'the "companion to the engine-room, and sometime the slain were found in hundreds by the fore-hatches. He never began to dine until his sport was 1 over, and then he would tear and rend with extreme «mphasi3 and enjoyment. By the time the ship:: got home he had established such a scare that he wes obliged to go down below after his game, instead of enjoying himself on the dewy deck. Wherever a rat could enter he would enter —indeed, the sailors declared, and perhaps believed, that he could go go through a keyhole; and in truth that strange lithe body of bis wound in and out of almost impossible placea. Had he been full grown he would not have been so useful; as it was, he nearly cleared the vessel in his dine, Wheni he came to England the troubles of his owner began. The young animal developed singular ferocity. The sight of any small living creature made him frantic, and until a proper cage of zinc was made for him he could not b? kept in confinement. At most unseasonable times he would escape from captivity, and when he did escape he made a »eris*tion. He seemed to pervade the house, and his mania for getting into holes was most perplex* ing. For instances, the leg of a pair of trousers, with their owner in them, quite came up to his standard of a negotiable hole. If the Australians intend to let the Indian beasts go loose in their country by scores of couples, as ;is said, there is a sad feature before the Australians, I fancy.-—Tamworth Independent. ; ;