MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 229 
is alarming. Our pet seated himself calmly upon the knee and 
disposed of one grass stalk after another most vivaciously, 
eagerly seeking for more. Bread was especially desired and 
with a shrewd eye for the future the beggar would fill both 
pockets, and when appetite and both pockets were filled he 
would empty the latter in a corner of his den and promptly 
return for more.” 
‘‘When given the liberty of the room, he set off in a curious 
canter but usually returned to be placed in the box, where he 
constructed a new nest every day. In the darkest portion he 
formed a nest of dry grass where the midday sleep was enjoyed. 
This siesta is very profound so that one could frequently re- 
move him from the box before he awaked, which he did with 
a start and appeared to require some time to get his bearings.” 
‘‘In suitable localities one may trace the progressive exten- 
sion of the burrow by the small hillocks of earth thrown up, 
often extending in anirregular line for many rods in a meadow. 
The digging is chiefly confined to the early summer and autumn, 
or after a long rain. Dry earth is difficult to manipulate and 
during drought the favorite food of the gopher is not to be 
secured. The hillocks resemble those of a mole but are much 
larger. The burrows are of two sorts, permanent run-ways 
and explorative or temporary burrows. The latter are near 
the surface and are closed off from the permanent burrow when 
completed. When such a burrow is made in a potato field it 
can be traced with the utmost regularity from hill to hill and 
the tubers are systematically removed and stored in large deep 
cellars. The amount which one family will carry off in a few 
days is all but incredible. The natural food consists of grass 
roots, especially the tender shoots of the red clover, and like 
plants. A curious provision against winter needs was fre- 
quently observed. The main run-way was provided with blind 
alleys at intervals, each of which was somewhat expanded at 
the end. Here a store of grass roots is accummulated in quan- 
tities varying from a pint to nearly half a peck. The amount 
seems to be intentionally limited so that the slight heating 
shall stimulate the roots to fresh growth, thus providing fresh 
supplies for the winter. Larger chambers are constructed for 
the tubers of Helianthus, etc.” 
‘‘It is probable that the animal does not drink. Current 
stories as to the digging of subterranean wells and the like 
being, so far as we could learn, fabrications. There is no evi- 
dence of hibernation though in the nature of the case it cannot 
