82 NEIGHBORS WITH CLAWS AND HOOFS, 



drawing-room with the coal-scuttle and chairs, and to pro- 

 vide other material for the purpose by gnawing oft' the 

 legs of the table. 



13. Among the larger rodents, the marmots are the 



The Beaver. 



most widely distributed and the best known. They are 

 larger than the common rabbit, and have a heavy body 

 and short legs, armed with sharp claws. They dig bur- 

 rows deep in the earth, each of which has several entrances, 

 so that in case of invasion they can escape. Their food 

 consists of grass, clover, and tender herbage of various 

 kinds. The European marmot has his home high up in 

 the Alps, or in the cold regions of the North. They live in 

 communities, and, when out feeding, they put sentinels to 

 give warning of approaching danger. In November they 

 fill their deep, dry burrows with hay, close the entrance, 

 and, covering themselves snugly in bed, they go to sleep 

 until the next April. 



