WOOD-RATS, PACK-RATS, ETC. 101 
or camps not permanently occupied and eat or carry 
away provisions. They sometimes cause great annoy- 
ance by cutting leather harnesses or saddles. There 
is rarely more than one animal responsible for the 
mischief in a camp, however, and a rat-trap will 
usually prevent further trouble. It is unfortunate 
that the odious name of rat has become attached to 
these bright and interesting littlé animals, as other- 
wise they might become a table delicacy. They are 
cleanly in habits and are strictly vegetarian in diet. 
Their flesh is as white and delicate as that of the 
quail and finer in flavor than that of the squirrel or 
rabbit.’’ 
The mountain pack-rat. The best-known of 
these wood-rats is that yellowish-gray one of 
the Rocky Mountain region, with the very 
bushy tail, known as pack-rat, trade-rat or 
bush-rat (Neotoma cinerea), and its reputa- 
tion is an evil one. As Warren remarks: 
‘“While the warm weather lasts (in Colorado), 
they do not trouble habitations very much, but 
when in the mountains the weather begins to 
get colder the rat looks out for a warm place 
for his winter residence, and often selects the 
miner’s cabin or some ranch-house.’’ It soon 
makes its presence known by carrying away any 
portable articles, and it makes no difference 
