230 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



Candlemas Day, and if it sees its shadow, goes back to sleep for six weeks 

 more, may savor of meteorological truth, but it is certainly not true of the 

 ground-hog. 



The full-grown woodchuck ordinarily measures about two feet in 

 length. Its color is grizzly or brownish, sometimes blackish in places; 

 the under parts are reddish and the feet black. The fur is rather coarse, 

 thick and brown, with longer hairs which are grayish. The skin is very 

 thick and tough and seems to fit loosely, a condition which gives the 

 peculiar "pouring along" appearance when it is running. The hind legs 

 and feet are longer than those in front. Both pairs of feet are fitted for 

 digging, the front ones being used for loosening the earth and the hind 

 pair for kicking it out of the burrow. 



The woodchuck's ears are roundish and not prominent, and by mus- 

 cular contraction they are closed when the animal is digging, so that no 



soil can enter; the 

 sense of hearing is 

 acute. The teeth con- 

 sist of two large in- 

 cisors at the front of 

 each jaw, a bare space 

 and four grinders on 

 each side, above and 

 below; the incisors 

 are used for biting 

 food and also for fight- 

 ing. The eyes are full 

 and bright. The tail 

 is short and brushy, 

 and it with the hind 

 legs, form a tripod 

 which supports the 

 animal, as it sits with 

 its forefeet lifted. 



When feeding, the 

 woodchuck often 

 makes a contented 

 grunting noise; when 

 attacked and fighting, 

 it growls; and when 

 feeling happy and con- 

 versational, it sits up 

 and whistles. I had a 

 woodchuck acquaint- 

 ance once which al- 

 Trccd! ways gave a high, 



Photo by Verne Morton. shrill, almost birdlike 



when I came in view, a very jolly greeting. There are 

 plenty of statements in books that woodchucks are fond of music, and 

 Mr. Ingersoll states that at Wellesley College a woodchuck on the chapel 

 lawn was wont to join the morning song exercises with a "clear soprano." 

 The young woodchucks are born about the first of May and the litter 

 usually numbers four or five. In June the "chucklings" may be seen 

 following the mother in the field with much babyish grunting. If 



