286 PRAIRIE COMMUNITIES 
HIGH PRAIRIE ASSOCIATION 
(Stations 47, 48; Table LX VII) (Fig. 294) 
The type of vegetation which dominates the high prairie is most 
noticeably characterized by the silphiums—the rosin-weed and the com- 
pass plant. The former has broad undivided leaves, the latter divided 
leaves which usually face east and west. This plant formation springs 
up throughout the temperate American forest border area on all well- 
drained ground. It succeeds the low prairie as the depressions occupied 
by the latter are filled or drained. The high prairie then succeeds the 
low prairie just as the bulrushes succeed the pond plants; the sedges, 
the bulrushes; and the boneset association, the sedges. All stages in 
the development of a pond into prairie may be found near Chicago. 
Dr. Cowles is of the opinion that shallow ponds with gently sloping 
sides develop into prairie, while deeper ponds with steep sides develop 
into forest. 
a) Subterranean-ground stratum.—Earthworms abound. The larvae 
of the May-beetles and other Scarabaeidae are abundant, feeding on the 
roots of the prairie plants. The May-beetle is often parasitized by a 
wasp larva (Tiphia vulgaris) (Fig. 297, p. 289) (189). The eggs of the 
2-lined locust (Melano plus bivittatus) are deposited here in the ground. 
The 13-lined ground squirrel (Citellus 13-lineatus) (21) is a slightly 
gregarious species, strictly diurnal, staying in during dull and cloudy 
days. Its burrows are from 3 to 16 in. below the surface, and often have 
five or six entrances into a larger cavity lined with grass. In a den 
studied by Thompson-Seton the nest was centrally located. Food, 
which includes cabbage butterflies, cutworms, grasshoppers, beetles, 
ants, birds (shore lark and lark bunting), and vegetation, is carried in 
the cheek pouches and stored. The species is non-social. A brood of 
about eight young are produced in April. 
The prairie deer-mouse (Peromyscus bairdii H. and K.) (21) is still 
probably common. According to Thompson-Seton (143) its home range 
is about 100 yds. It is neither social nor gregarious. It is strictly 
nocturnal and active all winter, though some seeds are stored. Its 
food is chiefly seeds. Hawks and owls frequently prey upon it. 
Of the extinct forms several are characteristic. The coyote (Canis 
latrans Say) was formerly common. According to Thompson-Seton 
(143), its home range is ten miles. The den is in a bank or an abandoned 
badger hole. The nest is a cavity 3 ft. in diameter, with an air-shaft. 
It is not so social as the gray wolf. Three to ten young are produced 
