MAMMALS OF THE REGION 83 



hind feet, a broad, flat, naked tail, and dense water- 

 proof fur. Large individuals weigh as much as fifty 

 pounds. 



BANNER-TAIL 



Dipodomys spectabilis baileyi (Figs. 28 and 29) 



These large, long-tailed kangaroo rats with capacious 

 cheek-pockets are abundant over the Pecos Valley and 

 even on the high limestone ridges all around the Carls- 

 bad Cavern. They keep to the sandy or gravelly soil 

 where they can burrow and build their large mounds, 

 and avoid the rocky ledges, cliffs, and caves. Over the 

 valley their mounds are scattered irregularly, but often 

 are so common that a dozen may be counted from one 

 spot. Generally they are two to four feet high, and 

 six to ten feet across, with several holes entering the 

 sides and connecting with galleries which wind through 

 the mound and deep into the earth below. The mound 

 is built over and around the burrows with thin-walled 

 partitions in such a way that a man or horse in walking 

 over it may break through into the chambers below. 

 They are carefully avoided by horses and riders as 

 dangerous pitfalls, for they have caused the cowboys 

 many a bad fall. Some of the mounds are built around 

 a creosote or mesquite bush, the branches and roots of 

 which give a good framework for strengthening the 

 earth walls and protecting the house, for it is a real 

 house, well built and perfectly planned for comfort and 

 protection. Soft nests and ample stores occupy the 

 underground chambers, which are all connected by 



