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 an irregular 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 



