THE MICE AND RATS 



the gray above. They live in woods and fields, making 

 their nests in logs, hollow trees, sheds, boxes, and almost 

 every other available place. 

 On the Western plains they 

 often nest in the bleaching 

 buffalo skulls. They are not 

 so distinctly injurious as are 

 the meadow mice, though 



they often become 

 troublesome. 



THE RATS 



locally 



CORNSTALK RUINED BY BROWN- 

 RATS 



There is little need to di- 

 rect attention to the common 

 Brown Rat, doubtless the 

 most destructive species of 

 rodent in the United States. 

 It is so because of its large 

 size, its omnivorous feeding 

 habits, its rapid multiplica- 

 tion, and its ability to penetrate through most obstacles. 

 The young mature in six months, and three or four 

 litters are born a year, each lit- 

 ter consisting of from six to a 

 dozen. 



Rats are destructive in fields, gar- 

 dens, barns, cellars, storage sheds, 

 and houses. They feed on all sorts 

 of vegetable and animal products, 

 dead or alive. They carry germs 



RAT TRAP USED IN BURMA 



of diseases, and are altogether 



most pestiferous creatures. War should be waged upon 

 them in every practicable way, and buildings should be 



