THE MICE AND RATS 



319 



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 plsdns they 



often nest in the bleaching 



buffalo skulls. They are not 



so distinctly injurious as are 



the meadow mice, though 



they often become locally 



troublesome. 



The 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 

 of diseases, and are altogether 

 most pestiferous creatures. War should be waged uppn 

 them in every practicable way, and buildings should be 



Cornstalk ruined by Brown 

 Rats 



Rat Trap used in Burma 



