692 RODENTIA. 



The Cotton Rat, Sigmodon Hispidum, is the most common wood-rat 

 in tlie Southern States. It occasions, however, very little injury, as it 

 prefers deserted old fields to cultivated grounds. It feeds on coarse 

 grasses, and devours a considerable quantity of animal food, for it is 

 decidedly carnivorous. Robins, partridges, or other birds that are 

 wounded and drop among the long grass, are speedily devoured by 

 them. They have been seen running about with crayfish in their mouths, 

 and are especially fond of " fiddlers." They fight fiercely, so that it is 

 almost impossible to keep more than one in a cage, for the strongest 

 usually eats all the others. This species delights in sucking eggs. They 

 come out at night from their holes which often run a distance of twenty 

 or thirty yards under-ground, but so near the surface that they can be 

 traced by the ridge in the ground. Each burrow contains only one 

 family, but the various galleries often intersect. The Cotton Rat has 

 obtained its name from the supposition that it makes its nest of cotton. 



GENUS FIBER. 



The two species of this genus inhabit the North American continent 

 as far south as Mexico. They form a link between the Beavers and the 

 Water Rats. 



The Musk R.\t, Fiber zibcticus, may be described as a large water- 

 rat with a short snout and a long tail. Near the tail is a gland which 

 secretes a white oily fluid of a strong civet odor. The hind-feet are 

 webbed : the incisor teeth are yellow, but the nails white. Audubon 

 gives a very good account of its habits, which we quote : 



" Musk Rats are very lively, playful animals when in tiieir proper 

 element, the water ; and many of them may be occasionally seen disport- 

 ing themselves on a calm night in some mill-pond or deep sequestered 

 pool, crossing and recroSsing in every direction, leaving long ripples in 

 the water behind them, while others stand for a few moments on little 

 hurdles or tufts of grass, or on stones or logs, on which they can get a 

 footing above the water, or on the banks of the pond, and then plunge 

 one after the other into the water. At times one is seen lying perfectly 

 still on the surface of the pond or stream, with its body widely spread 

 out, and as flat as can be. Suddenly it gives the water a smart slap with 

 its tail, somewhat in the manner of the beaver, and disapjjcars beneath 

 the surface instantaneously, going dcnvn head foremost, and reminding 



