WILD MAMMALS THAT KILL RATS. 35 



remains of the black rat and no other species. a This circumstance 

 shows that the birds feed on whatever rodents are most abundant 

 and most easily obtainable. In the event of a general invasion of 

 rats in any locality where these owls stay, the birds would be most 

 efficient aids in their destruction. 



The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is the largest of our resi- 

 dent owls, and usually is a most useful bird. True, he captures the 

 farmer's fowls when roosting unsheltered on fences or in trees, but 

 such loss is easily prevented. The owl captures many rats, especially 

 when they are plentiful. Mr. Charles Dury, of Ohio, in 1886 pub- 

 lished a letter from O. E. Niles in which the latter states that under 

 one nest of the great horned owl he counted 113 dead rats. 6 



The snowy owl is a rather rare winter visitor in the United States. 

 Usually it arrives when the ground is covered with snow and ©rdinary 

 food is scarce. Near barns, outbuildings, and stacks the brown rat 

 is its chief reliance, and if undisturbed these owls will stay for several 

 weeks in the same locality feeding on these pests. 



The practice of killing hawks and owls should be discouraged. 

 Game preservers, especially, should realize that the birds of prey 

 would, if permitted to live, destroy rats that in the course of a year 

 do ten times as much damage to game as the birds. The custom of 

 paying bounties for killing birds of prey is a most unwise expenditure 

 of public funds, harmful in its immediate results and pernicious in 

 its influence on the community. 



WILD MAMMALS. 



The wild mammals that destroy rats are not numerous, and few of 

 them resort much to localities favored by rats. Chief among those 

 that do good work for the farmer in rat destruction are skunks, 

 minks, and weasels. These all resort to the haunts of the rat, and 

 are, in the main, useful. The mink is the only one that does damage 

 enough to nearly offset its usefulness in destroying farm pests. 



Skunks. — Skunks are excellent ratters, and when they take up 

 their abode on the premises of the farmer, will speedily destroy or 

 drive away all rats and mice. This statement applies to both the 

 large skunks (Mephitis) and the little spotted skunks (Spilogale). 

 Unfortunately they are seldom allowed to tenant the premises without 

 being molested by either dogs or men. When thus disturbed, the 

 skunks emit the characteristic secretion, which is almost their only 

 defense against enemies. Undisturbed, they are quite inoffensive 

 and will stay about the farm buildings until rats and mice are no 

 longer to be had. 



Skunks usually hunt by night, and hence poultry properly housed 

 is safe from them. The larger skunks can not climb, and do not 



a The Auk, vol. 8, p. 75, 1891. 



& Jour. Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., vol 8, p. 63, 1886. 



