On account of the small size, merriami and ordii do not require detailed color comparison with the other two.  The general color of the upperparts of spectabilis is much darker than that of deserti; whereas spectabilis is ochraceous-buff or light ochraceous-buff grizzled with blackish, deserti is near pale ochraceous-buff and lacks the blackish.

The color of the upperparts alone amply suffices to distinguish spectabilis and deserti; but the different coloration of the tail is the most obvious diagnostic feature.  The near black of the middle portion of the tail, the conspicuous white side stripes, and the pure white tip make the tail of spectabilis stand in rather vivid contrast to the pale-brown and whitish tail of deserti.

The dens of the two larger species of Dipodomys—­spectabilis and deserti—­can be distinguished at a glance from those of the two smaller—­merriami and ordii—­by the fact that the mounds of the former are usually of considerable size and the burrow mouths are of greater diameter.  On the Range Reserve merriami erects no mounds, but excavates its burrows in the open or at the base of Prosopis, Lycium, or other brush.  The mounds of spectabilis are higher than those of deserti, the entrances are larger, and they are located in harder soil (Pl.  III, Fig. 1).  The dens of deserti are usually more extensive in surface area than those of spectabilis, and have a greater number of openings (Pl.  III, Fig. 2).

[Illustration:  PLATE II.  FIG. 1.—­WINTER VIEW OF AREA INHABITED BY KANGAROO RATS.

A water-hole scene on the U. S. Range Reserve at the base of the Santa Rita Mountains, Ariz., where cooperative investigations are being conducted to ascertain the relation of rodents to forage.  This is typical of a large section of country occupied by Dipodomys spectabilis spectabilis and Dipodomys merriami.  The brush is mesquite (Prosopis), cat’s-claw (Acacia), and paloverde (Cercidium).]

[Illustration:  PLATE II.  FIG. 2.—­KANGAROO RAT COUNTRY FOLLOWING SUMMER DROUGHT.

An area of the U. S. Range Reserve in the autumn of 1918, showing the result of failure of summer rains.  Such a condition is critical not only for the stockmen but also for kangaroo rats and other desert rodents, and results in competition between them as to which shall benefit by what the range has to offer.]

[Illustration:  PLATE III.  FIG. 1.—­KANGAROO RAT MOUND (DIPODOMYS S. SPECTABILIS).

Typical Dipodomys s. spectabilis mound on the Range Reserve, under shelter of desert hackberry (Celtis pallida).  Most dens on the reserve are located in the shelter of brush plants, the more important being mesquite (Prosopis velutina), cat’s-claw (Acacia spp.), and the desert hackberry. (See also Pl.  VIII Fig. 2.)]