MAMMALS 



405 



Photograph by E. R. Warren, "Mammals of Colorado" 



FIG. 179. Pika (Ochotona saxatilis) ; Irwin, Gunnison County, Colorado. The 

 pikas, often called conies, are found among rocks in the mountains of the northern 

 hemisphere from Eastern Europe to Western America. Their cheerful cries may 

 be heard in the summer far above timber line. These animals constitute a very 

 distinct family, related to the rabbits, but with short ears and no tail. 



Photograph by E. R. Warren 



FIG. 1 80. Mountain rat (Neotoma cinerea orolestes) ; Colorado Springs, 

 Colorado. This is a native American rat, easily distinguished by the bushy tail from 

 the Norway or brown rat, which has been introduced into this country from thie 

 Old World. The mountain rat is often troublesome in houses, from its habit of 

 carrying off spoons and other articles. It is sometimes called the trade rat, because 

 it is said that it always leaves something in exchange for what it takes. The ex- 

 planation is, that if it is carrying a stick and finds a bright object like a spoon or 

 fork, it will drop the stick and take the more attractive thing. 



