68 RODENTS OF IOWA 



2. That all existing rat-proof buildings shall be closed against 

 rats and mice by having all openings accessible to the animals, from 

 foundation to roof, closed or screened by door, window, grating, or 

 meshed wire netting. 



3. That aU buildings not of rat-proof construction shall be made 

 so by remodeling, by the use of materials that may not be pierced 

 by rats, or by elevation. 



4. The protection of our native hawks, owls, and smaller preda- 

 tory mammals — the natural enemies of rats. 



5. Greater cleanliness about markets, groeery stores, warehouses, 

 courts, alleys, stables, and vacant lots in cities and villages, and like 

 care on farms and suburban premises. This includes the storage 

 of waste and garbage in tightly covered vessels and the prompt dis- 

 posal of it each day. 



6. Care in the construction of drains and sewers, so as not to 

 provide entrance and retreat for rats. Old brick sewers in cities 

 should be replaced by concrete or tile. 



7. The early threshing and marketing of grains on farms, so 

 that stacks and mows shall not furnish harborage and food for rats. 



8. Removal of outlying straw stacks and piles of trash or lum- 

 ber that harbor rats in fields and vacant lots. 



9. The keeping of provisions, seed grain, and foodstuffs in rat- 

 proof containers. 



10. Keeping effective rat dogs, especially on farms and in city 

 warehouses. 



11. The systematic destruction of rats, whenever and wherever 

 possible, by (a) trapping, (b) poisoning, and (c) organized hunts. 



12. The organization of clubs and ether societies for systematic 

 warfare against rats." 



BLACK RAT. 



Eattus rattns (Linn^us). 

 [Mus] rattus Linna?us, Syst. Nat., X ed., T, 61, 1758. 



Description. — Color above scoty or plumbeous lilack; fur softer 

 and thicker than in the brown rat; the mixture of darker and 

 lighter over hairs gives the animal a shiny appearance ; color below 

 paler than above; feet brown; tail longer than head and body. 



Measurements. — Total length, 14.90 inches; tail vertebrae, 8.10 

 inches ; hind foot, 1.40 inches. 



