430 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



the door of its cell, enjoying to the full the good things of life, 

 and possibly giving expression to it in a way that is worthy 

 of happy, higher beings. Well-fed, unafraid, revelling in the 

 warm sun, stretched prone or rearing back against a bank, its 

 limp limbs drooped in joyous sloth, it rejoices in the good things 

 of life, and yields, we believe, but have not yet shown, to the 

 subtle sensuous thrill which stirs the hidden springs of song. 

 True, I never heard from a Woodchuck any sound but the 

 shrill, rattling whistle of alarm, which bids the foe keep off, or 

 warns its distant neighbour of the foe, and the low growl or 

 whine of mother and young, or the sound of menace made by 

 its grating teeth. But we have a hint of what may yet be 

 learned when we approach the philosophical "red monk" of 

 the fields in a way that at length will win its confidence and 

 open the secrets of its pleasant life. 

 THE SONG The article that gives the hint is from the pen of Dr. A. 



OF THE 



WOOD- Kellogg. "For the last forty years [he writes^^] the fact of the 

 common Maryland Marmot, or Woodchuck, being able to sing 

 like a canary bird, but in a softer, sweeter note, has been quite 

 familiar to myself and others, who could be brought forward as 

 witnesses." He then speaks of a very young Woodchuck which 

 he raised, and goes on to say: **It had a seat in the little high 

 chair at the children's table full oft. Its earnest and restless 

 concupiscent purr as it scented sweet cake and fragrant viands 

 was wonderful. At length it became as familiar as the family 

 cat, and finally burrowed under the doorstep. My impression 

 is now, and always has been, that it was a female. I used 

 to watch the pet very closely to see how it sang, as children are 

 apt to do. There was a slight moving of the nostrils and lips, 

 and consequently whiskers, with an air of unmistakable happy 

 or serene enjoyment. I question much if this is altogether un- 

 known to others, always excepting naturalists.'^ 



OF THE 

 WOOD- 

 CHUCK 



HOURS 



ALL At one time I considered the exemplary Woodchuck 



strictly a creature of daylight, sunlight preferred. But many 



'* Singing Maryland Marmot, Am. Nat., June, 1872, pp. 365-6. Quoted by Mer- 



