SOME PECULIAR PETS 251 



As hinted above, all rodents require close 

 watching, for their teeth grow rapidly, and 

 something to gnaw is a necessity of their ex- 

 istence. This, indeed, is one reason why cap- 

 tivity in a cage is so distasteful to them it 

 is impossible to secure sufficient exercise for 

 their teeth. The whole family is said to be 

 unusually fond of music; some of them be- 

 come so absorbed in listening to the notes of 

 an instrument, or even to whistling, that they 

 lose consciousness of danger, and may be 

 caught without trouble. I would not advise, 

 however, that one's hand be employed to seize 

 a squirrel, for he might come to his senses 

 and use his teeth. 



Another rodent, the rat, is not popular with 

 pet lovers in general ; but persons who have 

 overcome the repugnance which our race feels 

 for his Frank Buckland, of England, for in- 

 stance insist that he is, above all other little 

 animals, amusing and entertaining. He is full 

 of gambols as a kitten, and scrupulously neat 

 in the care of his person, washing and brush- 

 ing his fur as carefully as a cat. Though not 

 over-dainty in feeding when he is wild and has 

 to live by his wits, he is particular and notional 



