324 AN AGREEABLE DISCOVERY. 
I picked him up, and imagine my delight when 
for the first time I held a new Lagomys in my 
hand. Having made out what he was, the next 
thing to be done was to watch for others—to 
find out what they did, and how they passed the 
time in their stony citadel. I had not long to 
wait; they soon came peeping slily out of 
their hiding-places, and, inferring safety from 
silence, sat upon the stones and cheerily chorused 
to each other. The least noise, and the whistle 
was sounded sharper and more shrill—the danger- 
signal, when one and all took headers among the 
stones. 
I soon observed they were busy at work, 
carrying in dry grass, fir-fronds, roots, and 
moss, and constructing a nest in the clefts 
between the stones, clearly for winter-quarters. 
The nests were of large size, some of them con- 
sisting of as much material as would fill a good- 
sized basket. One nest was evidently the 
combined work of several little labourers, and 
destined for their joint habitation. ; 
There were no provisions stored away, neither 
do I think they garner any for winter use, but 
simply hybernate in the warm nest; which, of 
course, is thickly covered with snow during the 
