New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27

smoky, HccCe-Ike TUFTS extending
blown by the upland winds which beat the
summit of Mount San Antonio rolling snow
and in vast clouds until it ro. ... the
summit, then off into space to dis~Ira-e ...- The
groves of orange lemon and olive In the -'.-d
below.
The canon of the wood-rat was exceedingly -.--.e
trail running down the center through ot
wild roses; and few feet up the slope -0-
dense growth of live oaks and other tree
of the wood-rat found. Some wery of large .-
high up in the trees resembling balls of dead
and twigs; others at the bases OF oakc--. resting
partly the ground One FIVE feet in 5-.--.--
and three four feet IN height. and a
nest
The animals built with much intelligence. 4 --.r
with seven or eight limbs had fallen over th. .
forming a natural frame and this they t
leaves chiefly those of the sycamore and rs.
various kinds. the roof being two three
thickness. In the center OF the nest "a mas. If
the finest wool-like material taken from seeds AMI
various plantS-aS soft and warm nest .e
imagined This the nest where the young
born reared and 1t was in most protected pa-..
From it extended four or five tunnels. One leI .s
the larder or storehouse, which was packed ..H
and seeds of various kinds, Others led q. --
different entrances. and into hole in the groa.
that it would be almost impossible 10 surprise the
inmate, which would dash from runway To- another
In one instance observed the three young c--s
to the parent.
In building the nest the wood-rat did not select
withered leaves, but cut fresh ones, one by one -r
the tree, laying them the ratterS flat that there
nest opened everywhere there were places 0.-5
had been repaired by additions OF fresh leaves.
added from time to time. In the outer wall Of TIM
nest was a collection of foreign objects Thus -H1
copies Of a newspaper had been found and added
he remains of luncheon had been Transfer
bodily among other things half of a wooden plate and
a paper napkin of Japanese make. In another nest
found a Sardinc can bits of ColoTed glass and
objects evidently taken from the vicinity o
farmhouse.
There were numbers of these nests along the canon
the large ones the ground, while some were built
about old tree roots. all SO cleverly and closely
interviewer with sticks. twigs, branches and leaves
that the labor of three --.l
to open them up. and the capture OF the ""re-r
attended by great difficulty. they invariably
took the tall trees, running upward with great
speed, leaping from branch to branch C'Uyta.i-s
themselves behind limbs and adopting various devices
to escape
The wood-rat of the rose-and-cigar episode
camp 1t proved be most docile pet permitting
to handle it with inpunity but once II resented IT,
expressing itself by biting. doubtless believing that II
was attacked In appearance the animal Is rat-hke,
vet lacks the diSagrecable something OF the ordinary
rat Its ewes are larger and bright, suggestive OF
crepuscular life; the hair soft and slken, the head
broader with decided muStaChes which Vbrate with
excitement and exceedingly expressive In hold
ing the little animal the hand Ike feet grasped with
firm grip showing that they much more hand
like than the of the ordinary and explaining
its powers of climbing and leaping from BRANCH 70
branch In following a WOOd-rat down the canon
described it would leap from tree to tree ard from
limb limb rapidly that man would have 70
full speed to keep up with IT.
The wood-rat is the Nco0DG OF science, and
of the interesting of California animals.