XIV. 



The Canada Woodchuck or Wood-shock, Ground- 

 hog, Thickwood Badger or Canada Marmot. 



Marmota monax canadensis (Erxleben). 



(Marmota, the Ital. name is Marmotta, from L. mur. (stem of mus, a mouse or rat) 

 and mont (stem of mons, a mountain), hence a 'mountain rat'; monax, a monk, 

 given because it is usually seen living a simple, secluded life, in a cell, fat, sleek, 

 alone, and contented. L. canadensis, of Canada.) 



Mus monax LiNN, 1758, Syst. Nat., X ed. I, p. 60. 

 Marmota monax Elliott, 1 905, Check list N. A. Mam., F. M., 

 pub. 105, Zool. Ser. VI, p. 119. 



Type Locality. — Maryland. 



Glis canadensis Erx., 1777. Syst. reg. an. I, p. 363. 

 Marmota monax canadensis Elliot, 1905, Check List N. A. 

 Mam. Field Mus., pub. 105, Zool. Ser. VI, p. 120. 

 Type Locality. — Hudson Bay. 



French Canadian, le Siffleur; la Marmotte du 



Canada. 

 Cree, Wee-nusk'; also Wee' -nee Suk'-ah-tip (on 



Athabaska). 

 OjiB. Saut. & Musk., Ah-kuk'-wah-djees. 

 Chipewyan, Thel'-lee-cho (big Ground-squirrel). 

 Yankton Sioux, Hoh-cush-a. 



Richardson derives 'Wood-shock' from the Cree ^Ot- 

 choek/ sometimes written 'Wejack,' but applies the name to 

 the 'Fisher.'^ 'Thickwood Badger' was given in the North- 

 west to distinguish the animal from the true or prairie Badger. 

 'Siffleur' or 'Whistler' is from its note; and it is. of course, 

 a true 'Marmot.' 



'F. B. A., 1829, I, p. 53. 



416 



