WOOD-RATS, PACK-EATS, ETC. 109 



all mice are extremely fond) ; and "unless as 

 the result of a great reduction of mouse-hunt- 

 ing birds and mammals, they will never be a 

 pest." They are styled kangaroo-mice, or elf- 

 mice. 



Western kangaroo-rats. A third group is 

 that of the kangaroo-rats, found in all the 

 arid valleys west of the Plains and south of 

 northern Idaho and the Sacramento river. 

 While not Qven remotely related to either kan- 

 garoos or rats, they have been thus named on 

 account of their long hind legs and tails, small 

 hands, and their method of progressing by 

 hops. One species, the desert kangaroo-rat, 

 (Dipodomys) is distinguished by its large size, 

 about twice that of the others (Perodipus). 



This large four-toed kangaroo-rat of the 

 Great Basin and southern California is the one 

 of most interest. It is about 5 inches from tip 

 of nose to base of tail, and the tail is about 8 

 inches long. Its legs and hind feet are dispro- 

 portionately long, in striking contrast to the 

 tiny front feet, or hands. The large head, 

 prominent black eyes, and short ears give the 

 animal a quaint appearance. The glossy coat 



