400 THE QUADRUPEDS OF ARIZONA. 
servers agree in noting their particular fondness for mez- 
quite beans ; both the long straight pods of the Algarobia 
glandulosa, and the curious spirally-twisted fruit of the 
“screw-mezquite” (Strombocarpa pubescens). As might 
be expected from the nature of their food, their flesh is 
excellent eating. 
The idea of eating rats is doubtless disgusting to most 
persons—not Chinese nor Indian; but all such must re- 
member that they take their notions from the House 
Rat, which is a dirty beast, feeding upon sewerage, 
garbage, and any decaying animal or excrementitious 
matter which may come in its way. The Bush Rat’s food 
is as cleanly as that of a hare or squirrel, and there is no 
reason why its flesh should not be as good, as in truth I 
can assert it to be, having eaten it myself. 
Arizona seems remarkably deficient in Meadow-mice 
(Arvicola). I am not aware that any species has been 
recorded from within its limits. At least one exists, 
however, as I know, having taken some fragments, too 
much mutilated for identification, from the stomach of a 
large hawk. 
The Musk-rat, or Ondatra (Fiber zibethicus), so ex- 
tensively diffused over North America, finds a place in 
Arizona, and is common on many of its streams. It is 
said that this animal and the beaver cannot live harmo- 
niously together, the one harassing and finally dislodg- 
ing the other; but I cannot vouch for the truth of the 
assertion. 
The Indians make considerable use of Musk-rat skins 
for quivers, a number of them being sewn together, 
though a single skin of some larger animal, as a lynx, 18 
usually preferred.— To be concluded. 
cae 
ee 
