PRAIRIE-DOGS. 143 



creatures who are out of their houses scamper back as fast as 

 their legs will carry them, and concealing all but their heads 

 and tails, utter loud barks at the intruder. This done, the 

 greater number dive out of sight with a curious somersault, 

 their little tails whisking in the air. The chief dog, and per- 

 haps two or three other sentinels with him, remain on the 



PRAIRIE-DOGS. 



tops of their houses barking lustily till the enemy gets within 

 a few paces of them, when they also disappear, and the town 

 remains silent and deserted. The traveller who wishes to 

 observe their habits, by lying concealed and silent for a few 

 minutes, may see after a time some little fellow pop his head 

 out of his house, when he gives a few barks. It serves as a 

 signal to the rest that danger has disappeared, and immediately 



