52 DENIZENS OF THE DESERT 



While my pet neotomas were busy at home- 

 making, a third came about the premises, this 

 one a sleek, youthful-looking fellow, but not 

 so tame as my Billy. Animals like human be- 

 ings are possessed of individuality, and I was 

 anxious to watch the new tenant of my quarters 

 to see what new contributions he would make 

 to my knowledge of wood rats. One morning 

 while I was seated at my table writing I heard a 

 slight noise, and, looking down, saw my new 

 neotoma approaching a crust of bread I had 

 placed under the table for him. What struck 

 me now to do it I do not know, but intuitively 

 I quickly shuffled my feet and sent the wood 

 rat flying with fright across the room. He went 

 down Billy's knot-hole, but soon came out again 

 determined to get the bread. Having plucked 

 up courage he carefully approached the table 

 again. But again I shuffled my feet and he as 

 quickly retreated, went halfway down the hole, 

 and turned back. He now sat still and peered 

 at me from out his big, lustrous eyes, wiggled 

 his whiskers impatiently, and gave a saucy 

 stamp with his hind feet. I could hardly believe 

 my ears. It was the same noise Billy had made 



