HOODS MARMOT 603 
As it is so wary an animal it is with difficulty approached or shot, and even when 
severely wounded it is not readily secured, owing to its wonderful tenacity of life. A 
bullet that would instantly drop a deer has, comparatively, no immediate effect upon the 
Prairie Dog, which is capable of reaching its burrow, even though mortally wounded in 
such a manner as would cause the instantaneous death of many a larger animal. A 
tolerably large bullet through the brain seems to be the only certain method of preventing 
a Prairie Dog from regaining his strong-hold. The mode by which this animal enters the 
burrow is very comical. It does not creep or run into the entrance, but makes a jump in 
the air, turning a partial somersault, flourishing its hind legs and whisking its tail in the 
most ludicrous manner, and disappearing as if by magic. Scarcely has the spectator 
recovered from the ludicrous effect of the manceuvre when the animal begins to poke out 
his head again, and if not disturbed soon recommences his gambols. 
The burrows of the Prairie Dog are generally made at an angle of forty degrees, and 
after being sunk for some little distance run horizont: lly, or even towards the surface of 
the earth. It is well known that these burrows are not only inhabited by the legitimate 
owners and excavators, but are shared by the burrowing’ owl and the rattlesnake. According 
to popular belief, the three creatures live very harmoniously together ; but careful 
observations have shown that the snake and the owl are interlopers, living i in the burrows 
because the poor owners cannot turn them out, and finding an easy subsistence on the 
young Prairie Dogs. A rattlesnake has been killed near a burrow, and when the reptile 
was dissected, a Prairie Dog was found in its stomach. 
Although it does not endure a domesticated life as well as many of the rodents, it 
1s possessed of very great affection and courage, as is seen from the following anecdote. A 
hunter was engaged in shooting Prairie Dogs, and had succeeded in killing one animal, 
which was seated upon the little hillock in front of its burrow. A companion, which had 
not hitherto dared to expose itself to the hunter's fire, immediately issued from the same 
burrow, and seizing the body of its friend, dragged it into the hole. The hunter was so 
touched with this exhibition of true, loving feeling on the part of the little creature, that 
he never could be induced to shoot another Prairie Dog. 
From the most recent accounts, it appears that the Prairie Dog does not hibernate, but 
that it is as fresh and lively during winter as in the heat of summer. 
ANOTHER example of the genus Spermophilus may be found in the beautiful little 
creature which is scientifically known as Hood’s Marmot, but more popularly as the 
Leopard Marmot. : 
This pretty little animal is about the same size as the hackee, and is remarkable for 
the briliant and conspicuous manner in which its fur is diversified with contrasting hues. 
Along the back are drawn eight pale yellowish-brown bands, and nine dark brown bands 
of greater width. The five upper bands are marked with pale spots. The colouring is 
slightly variable, both in distribution and depth of tint, for in some specimens the dark 
bands are paler than in others, while in several specimens the pale spots have a tendency 
to merge altogether and form bands. The average length of this creature is nearly eleven 
inches, “the tail slightly exceeding four inches in length. The cheek-pouches are moderate 
in dimensions, It is an inhabitant of Northern America. 
This animal is said to be more lively and active than any of its relations, and to be 
remarkably fearless as it whisks about the neighbourhood of its home, uttering its 
sharp little ery of “Seek-seek-seek” continually. This cry is common to many of the 
Spermophilus, and has given the name of Seek-seek to another species belonging to the 
same genus. It generally leaves its winter quarters at the beginning of spring, and 
roams about in search of a mate. At this time the males are very pugnacious, and 
engage in fierce contests for the possession of some favoured individual of the opposite 
sex. They are very heedless at this time of year, and can be easily caught in ordinary 
traps. 
The burrow of the Leopard Marmot is generally driven perpendicularly into the 
eround, to the depth of four or nearly five feet ; but on the plains of the Upper Missouri, 
where the soil is sandy, and mixed with gravel, the burrow is almost horizontal, and lies 
