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A PRAIRIE DOG COMMUNITY. 



the Big Dog, who sits before the entrance of his burrow, and issues his 

 orders from thence to the community. In front of every burrow a small 

 heap of mould is raised, which is made from the excavated soil, and 

 which is generally employed as a seat for the occupant of the bur- 

 row. 



As long as no danger is apprehended the little animals are all in 

 lively motion, sitting upon their mounds, or hurrying from one tunnel 

 to another as eagerly as if they were transacting the most important 

 business. Suddenly a sharp yelp is heard, and the peaceful scene is in 

 a moment transformed into a whirl of indistinguishable confusion. 



The Prairie Dog or Wish-ton-wish (Spermophilns Ludovicidnus). 



Quick barks resound on every side, the air is filled with a dust-cloud, 

 in the midst of which is indistinctly seen an intermingled mass of flour- 

 ishing legs and whisking tails, and in a moment the populous "town" 

 is deserted. Not a " dog " is visible, and the whole spot is apparently 

 untenanted. But in a few minutes a pair of dark eyes are seen gleam- 

 ing at the entrance of some burrow, a set of glistening teeth next shine 

 through the dusky recess, and in a few minutes first one and then an- 

 other Prairie Dog issues from his retreat, until the whole community is 

 again in lively action. 



The title of Prairie Dog has been given to this animal on account of 

 the sharp yelping sounds which it is in the habit of uttering, and which 

 have some resemblance to the barking of a very small and very peev- 

 ish lap-dog. Every time that it yelps it gives its tail a smart jerk. 

 This peculiar sound is evidently employed as a cry of alarm ; for as 

 soon as it is uttered all the Prairie Dogs dive into their burrows, and 



