SQUIRREL FAMILY 



203 



The Prairie Dog lives upon and just under 

 the surface of the ground. It is not a cHmbing 

 animal, but devotes its surplus energies to bur- 

 rowing. It is of social disposition and is always 

 to be found in colonies often of large size. It 

 is related, on the one hand, to the Spermophile, 

 and, on the other, to the Marmot, but may be 

 easily distinguished from either of these by the 

 markings outlined above. The name " Dog '" as 

 applied to this animal is, of course, inaccurate, 

 as it is a true rodent. 



Ever since the first explorers penetrated the 

 ^\'estern plains, these sociable little beasts have 



cheerful activity and motion. Such occasions ex- 

 cite a certain degree of pleasure in every one as 

 he watches the motions of these curious creatures 

 as they at first assemble in numbers, as if in 

 grave consultation in regard to the intrusion of 

 strangers upon their quiet domain. Upon the 

 too near approach of apparent danger, suddenly 

 the assembly is dispersed, each one retires to 

 his respective home and standing upon the edge 

 of his den, utters his peculiar bark as if in de- 

 fiance ; and then every one disappears suddenly 

 and every voice is hushed when a single gun is 

 discharged." 







rmnrmarm 



By permission of the New York Zoological Society . 



PRAIRIE DOG COLONY 

 A characteristic picture of Prairie Dogs showing how they cut and hold their food 



been known and liked, despite their propensity 

 for mischief. Today as one looks out of the car- 

 window, he will be rewarded by seeing a little 

 inquisitive head pop out of a hole, or a sentinel- 

 like animal sitting gravely at his threshold as 

 though monarch of all he surveyed. In com- 

 menting upon this trait, an early explorer says : 

 " This interesting little animal never fails to 

 attract the attention of every traveller on the 

 \\'estern plains ; and an approach to one of their 

 settlements, after long and dreary marches, is 

 always hailed with delight as a pleasant change 

 from the monotonv of lifeless scenes to one of 



Prairie Dogs are easily introduced into almost 

 any open country where the ground is dry, but 

 they are very difficult to exterminate. They 

 breed readily in captivity, and usually produce 

 four young at a birth. In 1899, says Dr. Horn- 

 aday, a free colony was established in the New 

 York Zoological Park in the Antelope Range, 

 where it existed for two years, and its saucy 

 members attracted far more attention than those 

 confined in the fenced village. Knowing that 

 guns and dogs were not allowed in the Park, 

 they often permitted visitors to pass within six 

 feet of them. But it proved impossible to keep 



