THE BEAVER 219 



its bark-like cry when alarmed. It is also called the Barking 

 Squirrel, which is strictly appropriate, as it is simply a 

 Marmot inhabiting the prairies to the east of the Rocky 

 Mountains. In its general size and coat the animal is un- 

 doubtedly of the ground squirrel type, though its head is 

 rounder and it possesses a tail only three inches in length. 



The Prairie Dog is gregarious, often living together in 

 huge numbers in a labyrinth of burrows and tunnels, which 

 is usually called a ' dog town.' The warren does not 

 appear to be of haphazard construction, for there is always 

 a number of tunnels, unbroken by burrows, which serve as 

 the main thoroughfares. A ' dog town/ under usual cir- 

 cumstances, is a scene of peaceful animation. In front of 

 every hole is a little hillock of earth, which the Prairie 

 Marmots use as seats and watch-towers. If danger threaten, 

 the very first yelp of alarm is sufficient to cause the whole 

 populace to disappear in a cloud of dust, thrown up by 

 countless legs and tails. The animal is in no sense a hiber- 

 nator, only retiring during the most severe period of the 

 winter. 



Alien inhabitants are viewed with dislike in the cities of 

 men, and measures are taken to restrict their entrance, or at 

 least to enforce obedience to the laws of the community. 

 The inhabitants of a ' dog town ' are helpless against two 

 intruders who often take up their residence with them. 

 The rattlesnake and the burrowing owl not only seize 

 upon ready-made quarters, but mainly subsist upon the 

 young of their unwilling hosts. 



FAMILY CASTORID^:. 



BEAVER (Castor fiber). 

 Coloured Plate XIV. Fig. 9. 



The Beaver, the sole representative of the family, is an 

 aquatic animal, one of the largest of the Rodents, attaining 

 a length of three feet. It is stoutly and heavily built, 

 especially in the hind-quarters. The legs are short and 

 strong, and the five toes on each foot are sharply clawed ; 



