AMERICAN POUCHED RATS. 151 



foot below the surface ; but sometimes, as when passing beneath a garden path, 

 they descend deeper. They are driven for the purpose of obtaining access to the 

 roots of plants on which these animals chiefly subsist. The tunnels generally com- 

 municate with one another by cross-passages ; and in a certain spot generally 

 beneath the roots of some large tree the animal sinks a deep shaft, at the termina- 

 tion of which is constructed a dwelling-chamber. This chamber is generally as 

 much as from four to five feet below the surface, and is entered by a tortuous 

 passage. It is of large size, and generally lined with soft grass, upon which the 

 owner reposes. The nest of the female is constructed in a similar chamber, which 



THE COMMON POCKET-GOPHER ( liat. size). 



is, however, encircled by a horizontal gallery, after the manner of the residential 

 chamber of the mole. Here in the latter part of March or beginning of April are 

 produced from five to seven young ; their nest consisting partly of soft fur from the 

 body of the mother. Generally a passage proceeds from one side of the nest- 

 chamber to a store-chamber, which is filled with roots, nuts, and seeds in cultivated 

 districts potatoes often forming a large proportion of its contents. The food is 

 said to be carried to this storehouse in the capacious cheek-pouches of the animal. 

 Usually the pocket-gopher works at its tunnels or domicile from about four to ten 

 o'clock in the morning, during which time it excavates from twelve to twenty feet 

 of tunnelling, and will throw up from two to five hillocks. Other species of pocket- 

 gophers belonging to this genus are found in the Southern United States, Mexico, 

 and Central America. 



