WOOD-EATS, PACK-RATS, ETC. 99 



of their habitations, which are* conical pyramids 

 about three feet high, constructed with dry branches, 

 which they collect with great labor and perseverance, 

 and pile up without any apparent order; yet they 

 are so interwoven with one another, that it would 

 take a bear or wildcat some time to pull one of these 

 castles to pieces." 



"The very playful character of this species," re- 

 marked Audubon, "its cleanly habits, its mild, promi- 

 nent and bright eyes ; together with its fine form and 

 easy susceptibility of domestication, would render it 

 a far more interesting pet than many others." 



West and southwest of the Plains live many 

 closely related species, some of which inhabit 

 the mountains, others only timbered valleys, 

 while still others are restricted to desert val- 

 leys. All erect more or less elaborate and 

 often conspicuous houses, sometimes in the 

 branches of trees a safer place than on the 

 ground. 



Vernon Bailey discusses upon them thus : 



' ' For houses they heap up a bushel or more of sticks, 

 stones, cow-chips, cactus, bones, or other materials 

 which the animals can carry and pile up as a protect- 

 ing cover for their nests and burrows in the ground be- 

 neath. Cactus and thorny branches, if available, are 

 always a conspicuous part of the building material. 

 The house is usually occupied by one old rat, a pair, or 



