The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1909-11-04

man MOST species NANElfr anu MAug OF AHHiM
never, attack poultry, Ia the Nevada valleys
all species OF hawks and owls are distinctly
beneficial. and here rigorous protection cannot
be too strongly advocated.
Among mammals the weasel and the skunk
are especially worthy OF protection. They are
most persistent enemies Of mice, and are less
likely 20 be driven out BY civilization than are
other mammals when particular individuals
raid poultry houses e may be necessary 20
destroy them. though usually Il IS easy to
make such houses proof against their attacks
Far from being a menace. they are generally
most beneficial mammals. and. living. are
worth many times the value OF their pelts.
II is gratifying TO note that IN many locali-
ties the people are learning 70 appreciate these
natural enemies Of rodent pests, Tor even more
important than legislation FOR the protection or
valuable birds and animals IS the recognition
Of their services by the farmers.
In Nevada lt was noticed that hawks and
owls hunted chiefly I'm fields near the few plan
tations Of large trees 10 be found In the val.
legs, Beneath these trees the ground was
fairly carpeted by disgorged pellets Of fur and
bones, representing thousands o. mice. While
certain species OF hawks seldom frequent
trees. others hahituaily perch in them. notably
the large roughleg. Swanson. and redtail.
which were the most abundant and persistent
mousers.
Il was estimatod that during the height OF
the outbreak birds and mammals destroyed
some $4,000 mice daily. Although their com.
blnod assaults unaided did not sufico 10 ahRte
the plagne. yet when The number of mice was
reduced by poison. and long before a. APP
preached the normal they were able not only
10 prevent increase. but 20 cause a rapid de.
cline. which continued until the mice became
80 scarce that the predatory birds and nam.
mails we're forced TO scatter and look else
where for food. Il is fair to infer that had
these friends Of the farmer been protected in
the beginning they would have been able from
the FIRST 70 hold the mice IN check. preventing
the abnormal increase no that there would
have been no plague.
The mouse which produced the plague Ia Ne.
vada, locally known as BLACK mouse Is the
Carson field mouse (microtus montanual. one
OF the numerous species OF shorttaiied field
mice or meadow mice, D group which has
caused widespread destruction In various parta
Of the world. This Geld mouse Is rather vide.
~ distributed In the valleys OF Utah, Nevada.
northeastern California and eastern Oregon.
In nearly all parts OF the United States short.
tailed field mice are among the most album.
dant Of mammals, aud a number Of species IN
widely separated localities have occasionally
exhibited the same tendency 10 excessive IN.
crease, Indicating that fagoring conditions may
produce mouse plaques wherever the mice ex.
ist. Even when IN small numbers thoy de
stroy considerable clover aud alfalfa ana ia.
iure orchards. nurseries and root erups.
This Is the nrst recorded Instance Of an irrfp.
ton al field mice IN North America attaining
the proportions Of a plague. Tho experience
indicates the probability OF future and even
more disastrous outbreaks. In the extensive
reclaimed areas Of the west the abundant food
and Injurious cover furnished by alfalfa Fields
aud the miles Of Irrigation bitches. which AZ.
ford these mice suitable homes along their
banks. greatly favor their Increase. while snr.
rounding desert conditions limit ne spread 81
mice beyond the cultivated areaa