The little Indian rat occurs abundantly on all the islands, taking to hollow logs and holes under the roots of trees for shelter.

Here it is tamer than I have elsewhere seen it--by sitting down in a shady place, and remaining quiet, I have sometimes had three or four within a few yards of me playing about, chasing each other, or turning over the dead leaves.

It even climbs bushes and low trees, and gets out among the branches like a squirrel.
NICOBAR AND NUTMEG PIGEONS.
Birds were plentiful, and our sportsmen committed great havoc among the megapodii and pigeons.

The former were very numerous, running about the thickets, and calling to each other like pheasants in a preserve at home.
Among the other game birds, first in size and splendour comes the Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica).

As its appearance exhibits a near approach to the gallinaceous birds, so do its habits.