The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-09-09

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- - = = - and iron. Not
F. - So withstanding the
'',' F=;;:;zZ5 fact that Washing
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EAssAASA- AA' 's''''AA the ceanost city
on the American continent, census
of rats would show that the national
capital has about as many OF these
pests as most of her sister cities.
II is said that the surroundings are
peculiarly adapted TO the preservation
of the rodents. and there are mer-
chants around the Center market who
are willing TO make affidavit that there
are rats in that vicinity fully 20 years
old, and that they have thwarted every
effort to eXterminate them,
The rat has probably more out and
cut enemies than any other four
legged thing on earth. Its prosecutors
animate and jaanimate come in the
form of poison traps. cats, dogs, fer
rets and men Some or all of these
agencies are ar work constantly, and
yet the Washington rat thriyes, wakes
fat and raises a large family
Rats are repulsiye at best, and near
II everybody is afraid of them, espe
cially the great gray fellows which
seem to have taken possession OF some
sections Of the city These monster
rodents put up a game fight when
cnrnered. and they are crueltOothed
sharpeyed creatures. They are By
nature true gamins-sharp, cunning
snd. when necessity requires it, bold
s8d fearless. fighting any and every
thing with savageness seldom
. equaled There is no question that
the Norway or wharf rat-the bis
gray ones-drove off and killed the
small black rat which vas SO common
In Washington two decades ago.
A rat exterminator in Washington is
authority for the statement that when
a rat is attacked he Will first make
e break to scamper out of the way Of
the enemy. but If he sees that success
ful retreat is ont of the question then
he boldly and defsntly tries TO put ur
a winning fight for freedom and lib
erty' Rats have been known to attack
human beings in many Instance
where they were not first assaulted
Large rats are often rendered bold
through force Of numbers and when
hungry through enforced abstinence.
The large gray rat is cannibal the
male rat not hesitatng when hungry
TO make a meal off his young This,
however, he never does without first
having a battle with the mother rat
who always fights for the babies
A Louisiana avenue commission
man says that about the fercest battle
he ever Witnessed between animals
was few weeks ago, when he saw a
large gray rat xiii young one The
mother rat went 10 the rescue, and
for 10 minutes the two rodents en-
gagged in a combat which for feroCity
would rival almost anything ever wit
messed in the arena. A large crowd
nf men and BOYS gathered around the
fighting rats. but their presence did
not stop the battle. and it was not
ended until one Of the rats was killed
by the other. the mother rat receiv.
ing a bite in its throat which re
suited in almost instant death.
II any one would wonder why II is
that despite an their enemies the CITY
rats manage to increase in number he
may satisfy bis curiosity and gain
wisdom at the same time by knowing
that the gray rat sends forth three
broods a year to begin their predatory
existence. Seldom it is hat each fam
ily numbers less than ten babies and
frequently it exceeds is.
Taking 70 ncstlings as the average
family. each good. healthy pair Of whis.
kered gray rats will present 10 the
world each year 36 Of its kind Now.
on a basis Of 100000 pairs Of rats
II will be seen that each year there
are added 20 The rat population IF
Washington 10000 00 young rodents.
Rats send out sentiuels to signal
danger. and they act as soldiers on
the alert while other rats hustle
around for something TO cat When
things are quiet during the day around
the market it is not an unusual thing
to see a rat quietly walk out and
take view Of the situation walking
around among the stalls, and IL every
thing is satisfactory for a foraging ca
petition be will stand on duty while
others come ont and begin pilfering-
Should a person 90 near the sentry
rat he will give p loud ss1eal and the
entire rat horde will disappear in
stauter.
n--Llar 0urr Prcrnseh Mrr-nrial