1346 



THE RODENTS 



Habits 



somewhat striking. Above, the general hue is gray, with some dusky mottlings, 

 and black markings; while the whole of the under parts are white or yellowish 

 white. From the muzzle a blackish band extends across each cheek, above which 

 is a broad white stripe terminating in front of the eyes, while a third narrower 

 dusky band crosses the lower part of the forehead. The tail is blackish brown. 



The viscacha is by far the most common Rodent on the Argentine 

 pampas, and an excellent account of its habits is given by Mr. W. H. 

 Hudson, from which the following summary is compiled. These animals live in 



societies usually numbering 

 from twenty to thirty in- 



v ^5^^ dividuals; they form war- 



rens known as viscachera, 

 each of which may contain 

 from twelve to fifteen bur- 

 rows, some of them being 

 double or triple. Such a vis- 

 cachera will cover from one 



VISCACHERA. 



to two hundred square feet of ground. The burrows vary much in extent; some open- 

 ing out into wide chambers, from which other tunnels radiate; while others communi- 

 cate with their neighbors. The whole viscachera forms a raised mound of earth 

 which has been brought up from the burrows. It is always formed on the open 

 plains, and the entrances to some of the compound burrows are sometimes as much 

 as a yard in diameter. Usually the burrow takes the form of the letter Y. A 

 passerine bird (Geositta) belonging to the Woodhewer family, makes its breeding 

 holes in the sides of the viscacha burrows; while when deserted by their rightful 

 owners they are occupied by a kind of swallow (Atticora). Moreover, on the 



