The Mountaineer 69 
and it retires when alarmed to an inner chamber where it 
remains safely ensconced till all danger has gone by, or till 
such time as curiosity gets the better of its judgment. Since 
the animals are of a social disposition, small settlements are 
established in favorable situations. <As befits good citizens each 
marmot is zealous for the common welfare and stands ready at 
an instant’s notice to signal the approach of danger to his fel- 
low townsmen. Once the tocsin has sounded all are upon the 
qui vive till careful investigation has disclosed the cause of the 
alarm. 
Roots, leaves, and insects constitute the principal food of 
the marmot; these the animal is able to secure without wander- 
ing far from its burrow. On the approach of winter the beasts 
retire to the inner recesses of their cavernous dwellings and 
go to sleep. They do not awaken till the returning summer 
brings to them the growths of vegetation which follow so closely 
the retreating snow-line. Some slight provision is, however, 
made for tiding over an inclement season since one chamber 
of the burrow is filled with dried grass before the creature goes 
to sleep in the fall. With the dawn of a new season the marmot 
wakens from his slumber and stands ready to give his buoyant 
ereeting to friend and foe alike, as the life of the mountain is 
released from the icy grip of winter. 
HEATHER C. R. Corey 
