MURID^ 119 



Common in many parts of this region, more especially in rocky 

 localities. The food is almost anything eatable, but from the 

 nature of the region they live in, this is mostly Mmited to the 

 leaves, twigs, bark and seeds of desert plants, including cactuses. 

 The nests are commonly placed in crevices among rocks, or under 

 cactuses or yuccas; these very frequently contain thorny twigs 

 and joints of cactuses, and are sometimes built exclusively of 

 such formidable materials, perhaps for protection against coyotes. 

 The young are three to five in number. My notes on foet- 

 uses observed include only March and April as breeding months, 

 but the season is probably longer than these indicate. The Des- 

 ert Brush-Rats have the usual thieving habits of the genus, as 

 many prospectors can testify, bright objects being especially at- 

 tractive. I find it nearly useless to put out any "cyclone" traps 

 near their nests, the tin bottoms proving too attractive. 



The Desert Brush-Rats were formerly a considerable item 

 of food for the Indians, but they use them less now, partly be- 

 cause other food has become available, but principally because of 

 the ridicule of the whites. The flesh is sweet, white and nutritious, 

 and there is no good reason why it should not be as palatable as 

 that of a squirrel. The Neotoma'S are very different from real 

 rats. 



Neotoma desertorum sola Me;rriam. (Alone.) 



KERN BRUSH RAT. 



Similar to desertorum but larger. 



Length about 325 mm. (12.80 inches) ; tai vertebrae 150 

 (5.90); hind foot 34 (1.35)- 



Type locality, San Emigdio, Kern County, California. 

 Distribution, head of San Joaquin Valley, California. 



Neotoma intermedia Rhoads. (In the middle.) 



INTERMEDIATE BRUSH RAT. 



Similar to desertorum but darker with less buff on the sides ; 

 body scarcely larger but t^il longer, nearly or quite as long as 



