Habitat: Found usually in association with the pines of the Transition and Canadian Life Zones; crevices in cliffs and among rock slides are favorite nesting sites. Description: This woodrat will be recognized at once by its bushy, squirrel-like tail. The several other species in the same range have the usual scanty growth on the tail, so thin as to be almost unnoticeable. This species is large for a woodrat; total length ranges from 12½ to 18 inches. Tail 5½ to 8 inches. The soft, thick fur shows wide variation in color, as might be expected from the great range occupied by this species with its many subspecies. In general it varies from ashy to cinnamon above, to pure white on the underparts. Although the head has the same general shape as that of other woodrats, its appearance is altered somewhat by long, silky whiskers up to 4 inches in length, and extremely large ears. The dark, beady eyes, however, are typical of the genus. The young, from two to six, are born in early summer. This average of four or possibly less, when the breeding habits of all the subspecies are taken into consideration, seems low when compared with other small rodents. The low death rate indicated probably is due not only to this species’ secretive habits but to a high order of native intelligence as well. [Illustration: bushy-tailed woodrat] Many are the names applied to this interesting little animal. “Mountain rat,” “pack rat,” “trade rat,” and woodrat are some of the most common. Several stem from the supposition that when the animal takes an article that suits its fancy, it always replaces it with something which it supposes to be of equal value. Observation of the creature’s habits will indicate that these “trades” are entirely by chance. These animals are continually carrying small objects about and often drop one in favor of another more to their liking. The fact is that the most attractive items usually are carried to the vicinity of the nest, and so the scientific name of one of the subspecies is perhaps one of the most appropriate for this industrious collector. This subspecific title is _orolestes_, which translated from the Greek means _oros_, mountain, and _lestes_, robber.