THE CHINCHILLA 211 



of the Prairie Marmot (Cynomys ludovicianus) in the prairies of the 

 north of that continent. 



Two other hole-building birds also are commonly found about 

 Vizcacheras, making their little burrows in the sides of the entrances 

 of those of the Vizcachas, the Minera (Geositta cunicularia) , a bird 

 resembling our Wheatear in appearance and habits, and a Swallow 

 (Atticora melanoleuca) , very similar to our House-Martin, except that 

 it has no white patch on the back. Certain insects also affect the 

 Vizcachas' mounds especially, so that the Vizcachera is quite a little 

 world in itself. 



The flesh of the Vizcacha is edible, though apparently but little 

 used ; but the fur appears to have no special value. It does well in 

 confinement, and is generally to be seen in our Zoological Gardens, 

 where young have been produced on several occasions. 



THE CHINCHILLA 



(Chinchilla lanigera) 



THE family to which the Vizcacha belongs (Chinchillidcd) is not a 

 numerous one, but includes another animal, which, though of no such 

 remarkable interest in its habits, is particularly well known by reason 

 of the value justly set upon its extremely beautiful fur. The Chin- 

 chilla resembles the Vizcacha in general form, but has five toes on 

 the fore- and four on the hind-feet, and is very much smaller, being 

 considerably less in size than a wild Rabbit ; it is also a very much 

 prettier animal, with a smaller and neater head and large rounded naked 

 ears. The coat of the living animal is just like the exquisitely soft, 

 marbled silver-grey fur so familiar in ladies' costumes, for, unlike so 

 many other furs, it needs to undergo no preparation in the way of 

 plucking or dyeing. The tail, however, is curiously out of keeping 

 with the rest of the skin, being covered with long coarse wiry hair. 

 The claws are small and insignificant. 



Chinchillas are Alpine animals, found in the Andes of Chili and 



