WOOD-RATS, PACK-RATS, ETC. 109 
all mice are extremely fond); and ‘‘unless as 
the result of a great reduction of mouse-hunt- 
ing birds and mammals, they will never be a 
pest.’’ They are styled kangaroo-mice, or elf- 
mice. 
Western kangaroo-rats. A third group is 
that of the kangaroo-rats, found in all the 
arid valleys west of the Plains and south of 
northern Idaho and the Sacramento river. 
While not even remotely related to either kan- 
garoos or rats, they have been thus named on 
account of their long hind legs and tails, small 
hands, and their method of progressing by 
hops. . One species, the desert kangaroo-rat, 
(Dipodomys) is distinguished by its large size, 
about twice that of the others (Perodipus). 
This large four-toed kangaroo-rat of the 
Great Basin and southern California is the one 
of most interest. It is about 5 inches from tip 
of nose to base of tail, and the tail is about 8 
inches long. Its legs and hind feet are dispro- 
portionately long, in striking contrast to the 
tiny front feet, or hands. The large head, 
prominent black eyes, and short ears give the 
animal a quaint appearance. The glossy coat 
