CHAPTER XI 

 SUPPRESSION OF RODENTS AS PESTS 



INTERESTING and beautiful as most of the 

 rodents may be regarded, and beneficial to 

 mankind in much of their work, there are un- 

 doubtedly many times and places when, owing 

 to their excessive numbers and activity, they 

 constitute a serious nuisance and must be sup- 

 pressed. 



Foolish destruction of rodents' enemies. 

 Prominent among the recognized causes for the 

 great increase of rodent pests in recent years 

 is the persistent destruction of the birds, mam- 

 mals, and snakes that habitually prey upon 

 them. Even farmers have joined in the war- 

 fare against the so-called "vermin," and too 

 often have sought to get ill-advised legislation 

 against mammals and birds that are beneficial. 



Among the wild mammals of North Amer- 

 ica known to feed upon field-mice and their 

 burrowing relatives are bears, wolves, foxes, 

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