PRAIRIE DOG, OR WISH-TON-WISH.—Spermophilus Ludovicianus. 
cheek-pouches are rather small, and the incisor teeth ave large and protruding from the 
mouth. The leneth of the animal rather exceeds sixteen inches, the tail being a little 
more than three inches long. The cheek-pouches are about three-quarters of an inch in 
depth, and are half that measurement in diameter, 
The Prairie Dog is a burrowing animal, and as it is very gregarious in its habits, the 
spot on which it congregates is literally honeycombed with its tunnels. There is, however, 
a kind of order observed in the “ Dog-towns,” as these warrens are popularly called, for the 
animals always leave certain roads or streets in which no burrow is made. ‘The affairs of 
the community seem to be regulated by a single leader, called the Big Dog, who sits 
before the entrance of his burrow, and issues his orders from thence to the community. 
In front of every burrow a small heap of earth is raised, which is made from the excavated 
soil, and which is generally employed as a seat for the occupant of the burrow. 
As long as no danger is apprehended, the little animals are all in lively motion, sitting 
upon their mounds, or hurrying from one tunnel to another as eagerly as if they were 
transacting the most important business. Suddenly a sharp yelp is heard, and the peaceful 
scene is in a moment transformed into a whirl of indistinguishable confusion. Quick barks 
resound on every side, the air is filled with a dust-cloud, in the midst of which is 
indistinctly seen an intermingled mass of flourishing legs and whisking tails, and in a 
moment the populous “town” is deserted. Not a “dog” is visible, and the whole spot is 
apparently untenanted. But in a few minutes a pair of dark eyes are seen gleaming at 
the entrance of some burrow, a set of glistening teeth next shine through the dusky recess, 
and in a few minutes first one and then another Prairie Dog issues from his retreat, until 
the whole community is again in lively action. 
The title of Prairie Dog has been given to this animal on account of the sharp yelping 
sound which it is in the habit of uttering, and which has some resemblance to the barking 
of a very small and very peevish lapdog. Every time that it yelps it gives its tail a smart 
jerk. This peculiar sound is evidently employed as a ery of alarm; for as soon as it is 
uttered all the Prairie Dogs dive into their burrows, and do not emerge again until they 
hear the shrill whistle which tells them that the danger is past. 
