Pocket-gopher 575 



and looked like worm castings. Some were of black mould, 

 some of yellow clay, the two kinds being in separate piles. 

 The only explanation that I can suggest for these is that, in 

 going out to forage during wet weather, the animal's fur becomes 

 soiled, and the mud is afterwards cleaned off and accidentally 

 rolled into these pellets, before the Gopher re-enters the nest; 

 another indication of its cleanliness. 



This animal, in common with all that make elaborate 

 homes, has progressed well in sanitation. 



A common habit observed in talpoiJes, fossor and monti- airing 

 cola is, as mentioned already, that of leaving the burrow open 

 an hour or two on sunny mornings, apparently for air or sun- 

 light. Possibly the Gopher lies below the open hole to enjoy 

 the warmth. No doubt the passing of the miner along the 

 snug-fitting tunnel while one door is open, draws in fresh air 

 enough to last for some time. 



It plugs the ventilator up again about noon. This 

 general move to close the air-hole gives the appearance of a 

 midday period of activity at tunnelling. 



On September lo I caught a female Pocket-gopher in a 

 burrow connected with the above, and continued the examina- 

 tion and measuring of the galleries. 



On September 1 1 we continued our investigations, but 

 saw nothing of the owner, so either it escaped by one of 

 the side galleries or it was the female caught yesterday. This 

 morning, however, fresh hills appeared near the trench we 

 opened. 



There were no mounds near the chamber or its galleries. 

 The few marked on the plan were new ones, but the whole 

 surface bore evidence of having been disturbed early this 

 season. In the spring, no doubt, the plot was dotted with 

 numerous hills, since levelled by the weather, etc. 



This investigation has kept two of us hard at work for 

 nearly three days with shovels, rule, and tape-lines. 



No doubt the residential burrows oitalpoides will be found 

 much like this. 



