Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-04-02

seems to come amiss, and they are par
ticularly fascinated by anything that
glitters, often carrying off knives.
spoons and watches and silver aud
hiding them efFectually.
They are ''good providers" and in
the fall build their nests, and fill them
with stores Of estables, the result of
foraging expeditions, for their families,
before winter is on them. Under a
large cottonwood tree, on hin side,
partly underneath fallen trunk, party
of US found mountain rats nest. Ii
was built up nearly two feetin height;
the top or roof covering it sloped on all
sides, to shed rain or snow; tearing IL
to pieces we found IL was built closely
of grass, moss, chips, bones and many
leaves Of the cactus (Which grows plen-
tifully among the rocksl; how they
could cut off and convey this thorsy
stuff, working ii up with the other ma
terial, in the close covering, is hard 10
understand. Away down, running in
almost under the log, so well built
around, out of reach OF any moisture or
cold, clever little bed Of wool was
found, made for the young rats, this
wool. Of which there was quantity,
must have been collected bit by bit from
the weeds, through which the sheep
passed, and from their corrals.
TO reach this nest in the rats house,
there was quite long circuitous pas
sage, entrance close to the ground, on
.he south side-a little den or hole 10
crawl through. In a little heap outside,
not yet carried in among their provis
ions, but lying close by, we found more
than quart of fine, fresh-looking pota-
toes, brought from our own garden, and
| it is an uusolved mystery how the pota-
toes were taken there; with not a
scratch or mar upOn them, or the skin
bruised or broken. The garden was n
hundred feet away. considerably lower
down. and a stream Of water, an irri.
eating ditch, to be crossed, to reach IT..
One person suggested that the rats
might have rolled them all away and
across some poles thrown over the
stream.
Destroying this nest, a couple of rats
darted up the standing tree, and there
we were surprised to find another nest
begun in the forks of the tree. We
DESTROYED this mes; also; but here
comes in another mystery puzzling
question: How could the rats climb
that tree and carry up stores for the
winter? This nest was probably twen-
ty-five or thirty feet from the ground.
| asked n ranchman, q few days ago,
who was talking about them. If he was
afraid of them q meant their bite).
ono" he said, "and they are not afraid
of me; they have walked me many n
time sitting upon the floor of my cabin
and rapping their tails like dog"
have already spoken of their great
strength and celebrity of movements.
To all observer these traits are never
failing surprise. If light is steadily
burning and all is quiet, they are easily
watched, darting back and forth, carry
ing goods, each way-Iound trip, so to
speak, and often long trips. have
known them to bring nails, bits of iron, 4,
screws and other things left about the
shed, quite distance to the house,
place them on shelves, boxes or kegs,
Just as they fancied, but all in some Sc
cluded spot, carrying back from cellar
and store-house dried prunes. apples,
rice and all kinds Of eatables. Ii work
ing in the dark, the drawing of match,
a slight noise or sudden light will cause
them TO vanish like flash.
They seem. too, to have a fancy for
certain colors, particularly bright red,
and will soon make away with garments
of this color, and attach them 10 their
nests. There Nay be something at
tractive in the dye, but knowing their
partiality for gIittering. shining objects,
] am inclined to think they have also an
eye for color.
With all their curious and often an
noying tricks, they are wonderfully in
genious and preserving, and certainly
possess the attributes of good business
man in their energy, industry, fore
sight and desire TO make provision
against time of need Popular Science
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