CON T E N T S . 



Page. 



Introduction 9 



Destructiveness of the brown rat 10 



Distribution of the genus Mus in America 11 



History of the brown rat 12 



General description 13 



Abundance of rats : 14 



Habits of rats 14 



Breeding 15 



Migrations and invasions 16 



Food of rats 18 



Damage by rats 19 



Grains 19 



Poultry and eggs 22 



Game and other birds 23 



Fruits and vegetables 24 



Merchandise in stores and warehouses 25 



Flowers and bulbs 26 



Fires caused by rats 27 



Damage to buildings and furniture 28 



Miscellaneous damage 29 



Extent of damage by rats and mice in cities , 30 



Rats and public health 31 



Utility of the rat 33 



Means of repressing rats 33 



Natural enemies of the rat 34 



Hawks 34 



Owls 34 



Wild mammals 35 



Rat-proof construction 36 



Keeping food from rats 39 



Driving away rats 40 



Destroying rats 41 



Traps :■ 41 



Poisons 44 



Domestic animals 48 



Fumigation 48 



Micro-organisms 50 



Organized efforts to destroy rats 51 



An international society 52 



Summary of recommendations 53 



5 



