THE DWAEF PIKA. 163 



spreading from the Ural chain to the south ; it also fre- 

 quents the borders of the Irtish and the west part of the 

 Altaic chain, but occurs nowhere in the east beyond the 

 Oby. 



These animals delight in sunny valleys and the decli- 

 vities of hills, where food is plentiful, and especially 

 where woods or forests afford them a refuge in time of 

 danger. They dig deep and intricate burrows, the open- 

 ings of which are not above two inches in diameter, and 

 are usually formed beneath the concealment of a bush, 

 in situations abounding with thickets and underwood, 

 and with the various shrubs and grasses upon which they 

 feed. They lead for the most part a solitary life, sleep 

 during the day with unclosed eyelids, like the hare, and 

 emerge from their retreats at night, in search of food, 

 which principally consists of the bark of the young 

 bushes, flowers, buds, and grass. They form no winter 

 store, but, during the inclement portion of the year, still 

 continue to seek out, by excavating tracks beneath the 

 snow, their accustomed fare, and they are frequently 

 subjected to severe privations, and even death, in conse- 

 quence of a deficiency of their favourite plants. They 

 drink often when they happen to be near water, but 

 can exist with very little. The females produce at each 

 litter five or six young, which are born blind, helpless, 

 and without fur ; but in eight days they acquire sight, 

 are covered with hair, and begin to enjoy the use of their 

 limbs. 



The most obvious peculiarity of these pikas is their 

 voice, from which they have acquired their trivial name. 

 Its tone is so like that of a quail, that it is often mistaken 

 for it even by the inhabitants of their native districts. 

 It is heard only in the morning and evening, except in 

 dark and cloudy weather, and is repeated five or six 

 times by each animal at regular intervals, and is loud 

 and sonorous. Both the male and female utter this note, 

 but the latter is silent for some time after she has 

 brought forth her young, which takes place in the month 

 of May. 



The pikas are exceedingly gentle. Pallas states that 



