72 ANIMALS OP NORTH AMERICA. 



" They remain housed until the warm days of spring, when 

 they remove the obstructions from their doors, and again 

 appear above ground as gay and frolicsome as ever. In the 

 early part of winter they are sometimes seen reopening the 

 entrances to their domicils while the weather is still cold and 

 stormy, but mild and pleasant weather is sure to follow, from 

 which it appears that instinct teaches them when to antici- 

 pate good or bad weather, and they make their arrangements 

 accordingly. 



" It has been said that the rattlesnake, and a species of 

 small owl, are always found burrowing with the prairie-dog 

 in the most perfect harmony. The snake is sometimes seen 

 in the towns, but he is by no means a welcome guest with the 

 proprietors of the establishment, and only resorts there to 

 prey upon the dog. One that was killed by our party was 

 found, upon examination, to have swallowed a full grown 

 marmot. The owl is always seen sitting near the dogs at the 

 entrance of the burrows, but I have never known them to 

 enter or emerge from them. On approaching near they 

 always fly away." 



