Among the natural enemies of rats and mice are the larger hawks and
owls, skunks, foxes, coyotes, weasels, minks, dogs, cats, and ferrets.
Probably the greatest factor in the increase of rats, mice, and other
destructive rodents in the United States has been the persistent killing
off of the birds and mammals that prey upon them. Animals that on the
whole are decidedly beneficial, since they subsist upon harmful insects
and rodents, are habitually destroyed by some farmers and sportsmen
because they occasionally kill a chicken or a game bird.
The value of carnivorous mammals and the larger birds of prey in
destroying rats and mice should be more fully recognized, especially by
the farmer and the game preserver. Rats actually destroy more poultry
and game, both eggs and young chicks, than all the birds and wild
mammals combined; yet some of their enemies among our most useful birds
of prey and carnivorous mammals are persecuted almost to the point of
extinction. An enlightened public sentiment should cause the repeal of
all bounties on these animals and afford protection to the majority of
them.