108 ANIMAL COMPETITORS 



presence affects humanity in a very trifling de- 

 gree. 



The only representative in the East is the 

 common tawny-red, large-eared jumping-mouse, 

 often seen rushing away from under foot in 

 amazing leaps. The hind legs and feet are 

 tremendously developed, while the fore pair are 

 exceedingly small and delicate. The nose is 

 pointed, and the hairless tail very long, meas- 

 uring 5 inches from root to tip, while the 

 length of the body is only 3 inches. They sub- 

 sist almost exclusively on weed-seeds, and go 

 early to bed in warm grass-nests underground, 

 where they remain in deep hibernation until 

 late in the spring. 



In the arid West and in Mexico live numer- 

 ous small cousins of the genus Perognathus, 

 whose hind legs are less lengthened, and which 

 have fur-lined pockets in their cheeks, tiny 

 ears, gray or yellowish coats, pure white feet 

 and under parts, and tails about the length of 

 their bodies. They are rarely seen, because 

 nocturnal; burrow in dry ground; and lay up 

 stores of small seeds. They are easily caught 

 in small traps baited with rolled oats (of which 



