218 GNAWING ANIMALS 



At one time it was no uncommon event in England to 

 see an Alpine Marmot carried by a Savoyard beggar ; but 

 nowadays a monkey is the usual aid to extract coppers from 

 the charitable, probably because its antics are more pleasing 

 to children. There are other Marmots very similar in ap- 

 pearance and habit. The Bobac (Arctomys bobac) is found 

 in Eastern Russia and throughout Siberia to the shores of 

 the Pacific ; the Hoary Marmot (Arctomys pruinosus), one 

 of the largest species, lives in the north-west of British 

 North America, certainly as far North as the Arctic Circle. 



WOODCHUCK (Arctomys monax). 



The Woodchuck, the smallest of the American species, 

 only measures twenty inches, including the tail. Preferring 

 to live in hillsides or open grass land near to cultivated 

 districts, the Woodchuck is often responsible for much 

 damage to agriculture. In the New England States it has 

 sometimes been found necessary to offer rewards to keep 

 down the number of the animals. The Woodchuck, unlike 

 its relatives, will sometimes ascend trees, especially when it 

 is pressed by an enemy. It appears to fix the time of its 

 retirement to its winter quarters altogether regardless of 

 climatic conditions. At the end of September it vanishes 

 for months. Thus it comes about that it is often under- 

 ground during weeks of genial weather and while there is 

 abundance of food ; and in the succeeding spring it reap- 

 pears when, owing to the belated season, winter has not 

 really taken its departure. Its retirement and its reappear- 

 ance a month later in each case would appear to make for 

 comfort, and why the animal's instinct does not suggest 

 such a course cannot be explained. 



PRAIRIE DOG (Cynomys ludovicianus). 

 Plate XXII. Fig. 2. 



The Prairie Dog is not a member of the canine family, 

 and in form and habits it bears not the least resemblance to 

 a dog. The animal probably gains its name on account of 



