Mr. George W. Gordon states that in a small cave 

 in Fayette County he heard a noise beside him and his 

 flashlight revealed a wood rat within twenty inches of 

 the lamp. The creature was sitting on its haunches 

 carefully gnawing the bark from a small twig. When 

 it had finished it proceeded nonchalantly to wash its 

 face, not paying any attention whatever to the bright 

 light. 



The woodrat is about the size of the ordinary 

 house rat but it is easily distinguished from this loathe- 

 some species by its bufify slate-colored back and white 

 under parts. Its tail, unlike that of the brown rat, is 

 quite hairy and sometimes bushy. The under side of 

 the tail is white. The eyes are large and black and the 

 ears are large and prominent. The long pointed nose 

 and long white whiskers add a touch of dignity. 



The nests are placed in every sort of location, on 

 an old cupboard, in a cave and in unused houses; some- 

 times the nest is placed in the middle of the floor. The 

 nest is a huge afifair, usually mound-like and con- 

 structed of sticks, tufted seeds, rags, etc., crudely 

 heaped together. The animal stores up quantities of 

 seeds, pinyon and other nuts, haws, wild grapes and 

 other fruits. 



The woodrat is chiefly nocturnal and is a good 

 climber. While it is usually solitary, several may oc- 

 cupy the same nest. There are several litters of four 

 or five young each year; 



In some sections of the United States, and es- 

 pecially in Mexico, the woodrat is relished as a food. 

 It is seldom a troublesome creature here, although it 

 has been known to dig up pine seeds that have been 

 planted. 



-•*>{ 145 ><*- 



