animals by animal-behavior experts would be of extraordinary interest,
in view of the character of the homes which they always inhabit and the
network of runs on the outside.


[Illustration: PLATE IX. FIG. 1.--KANGAROO RAT NEST AND YOUNG.

Nest and the two young, the ordinary number in the litter, of _Dipodomys
s. spectabilis_, taken from den on January 31, 1920.]

[Illustration: PLATE IX. FIG. 2.--YOUNG OF THE KANGAROO RAT.

The same young as shown in Figure 1, above. They were probably about two
weeks old, the pelage being short but with the white markings of the
adult; the tails are relatively short and with scarcely any hair.]




COMMENSALS AND ENEMIES.


COMMENSALS.

It is doubtful whether any animals live in a truly commensal
relationship with _spectabilis_, but of not unfriendly associates there
are a great number. It is the experience of Bailey, corroborated by
observations of Vorhies on living animals, that these kangaroo rats are
active in defending their caches of food, and will even fight
individuals of the same species savagely and to the death. One moonlight