and females 58 and 60). They were characterized 
by a moderately inhibited growth (see figs. 139 and 
141). The average Maturity Index for the group 
was 11.46 (where I is the most favorable and III 
the least favorable). Seventy-three percent of the 
rats in the pen exhibited a more favorable growth 
than this (see fig. 142). The mother (female 11) 
of Litter 3 was not only younger than the other 
original female (No. 10) which reproduced, but 
her growth was more inhibited (Maturity Index 
III). This litter was born at a point quite distant 
from the food source and at a time when they had to 
compete with rats born a month and a half earlier 
in the much more favorable South Alley Burrow 
location. Furthermore, at the age of 2)4 months 
they were subjected to the rather severe punitive 
action of a lactating female at the North Alley 
Burrow whom they had to pass on their way to the 
Food Pen. It was at this time that their rate of 
growth became considerably inhibited (to the 
Maturity Index III level). Litter 13 had a roughly 
similar history with the additional factor of compe- 
tition with older sibs who were still dependent upon 
their mother (No. 43). This was the only litter 
born in the pen which was conceived on the day 
following the parturition of the previous litter, and 
which survived to compete with their older sibs. 
Concerning these few individuals with abnor- 
malities of feeding behavior for whom extensive data 
on their histories is available we may conclude 
that: 
1. Where marked inhibition of growth or loss 
of weight is associated with the receiving of 
extensive punitive action from their associates, 
feeding abnormalities are likely to appear. 
2. The more unfavorable factors, with respect 
to social and physical maturation, that are 
associated with the early life of the rat, the 
greater is the likelihood of developing ab- 
normalities of feeding behavior. 
I. Summary of Hunger Satisfaction and Storage 
Behavior. Normally hunger is satisfied either at 
the source of food or after food has been trans- 
ported to the nearest shelter. Once a food cache 
has been formed the behavior of the rats toward 
it is essentially the same as at the primary source 
of food. In the diagram below X x to X 2 etc. 
represent ever more distant locations from the 
food source, T. 
Source 
of Ever farther distances, X, to which food is transported 
food 
r x x x 2 x 3 x t x 5 x t x 7 
^Immediate satisfaction of hunger drive. 
> Cache formation by young rats and also occasionally by older rats. These 
or caches are usually in sheltered but non-harborage locations. This behavior 
* frequently immediately precedes transportation of food into harborages. 
> > »• > »etc. 
Cache formation by most adult rats. Locations are nearly invariably associ- 
ated with protected harborages such as the burrows or the sunken harborage 
boxes. 
— ► > Cache formation and eating by many socially low ranking adult rats. 
This type of behavior in an individual does not preclude the expression 
of the previous more highly developed behavior. As likely as not these 
caches may be in completely exposed locations. 
J. Availability of Water and Behaviors Relating to 
Drinking. One to four watering fountains such as 
are used for chickens were always available. They 
were placed in the corners of the Food Pen. Each 
held 2)4 to 5)4 gallons. When one of these con- 
tainers was inverted the water became available in 
a shallow trough surrounding the edge of the 
bucket. At times 10 or more rats would crowd 
about one of these circular troughs with their sides 
touching. Open conflict as a result of crowding 
developed much less frequently about the water 
source than at the food source. However, when 
one rat was drinking and another approached, the 
first rat frequently retreated temporarily from the 
approaching rat. This avoidance was accentuated 
among socially low-ranking rats. In fact, the very 
low-ranking rats tended to go only to those 
fountains not being used by other rats. 
An example of the relationships between two 
individuals which may be exhibited at the fountain 
is shown in the following. May 12, 1949: Male 
690, the second most high-ranking male in the pen, 
109 
