358 



V EKTKBliATA. 





a 







A Wk 





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THE EUROPEAN MARMOT. 



state, until the warm sun of April calls them to activity. They are playful in disposition, but 

 when angry, or ln-fore a coming storm, they utter a shrill, piercing whistle. 



The marmot of the Alps is easily tamed; and, in a domestic state, it is a very docile, gentle, 

 and intelligent creature, and may be taught many little tricks, all of which are amusing, and none 

 of them offensive. It is a common pet, and especially with the young Savoyards, who often tra 

 to different parts of Europe, picking up a comfortable living by showing off the humors of one of 

 these creatures and singing their native songs. On all the great thoroughfares of the cities 

 continental Europ< — Paris, Vienna, Berlin — these Swiss showmen may be seen, and appear to bi 

 always welcome to the populace. Some of them acquire money enough to return to their moun- 

 tain homes and live in rustic comfort for the rest of their days. 



This species are not so productive as some of the other rodentia, there being only one litter in 

 the year, each litter consisting, in general, of three or four; but the animals are subject to fewer 

 casualties than one would suppose, in the cold places which they Inhabit, and where the \- 

 <yc- of eagles and vultures and other powerful birds of prey may be supposed to be frequently 

 upon them. They are very vigilant ; and it is understood that when they are engaged in their 

 labors, they always have a sentinel posted on some rock or other eminence, who keeps careful 

 watch, gives notice of danger before it is near, and has himself some little place into which he can 

 retire and remain till the danger is over. 



The Polish Marmot, or Bobac, A. bobac, is nearly of the same size with the former, but is 

 different in color. The general hue is yellowish-gray, mottled with brownish-black, with th< 

 under part of the body yellowish-russet, and the throat and tail reddish. A portion round the i 

 is brown: and that round the muzzle is silver -gray. It is to be remarked, however, thai then 

 is a variety which is nearly Mack. Many of the skins come to the European markets from < •■! 



The native localities of this species are further to the north than those of the marmot ol 

 Alps; for it is found from Poland to Kamtschatka, and thence to the south as far as Thibet I 

 does not inhabit such elevated places, however, as the Alpine marmot; and, therefore, though 

 is found in higher latitude-, it doe. u,,t follow that it is in a colder climate. It is also careful ii 

 selecting the exposure of the situation in which it forms its burrow, and also in the kind «>t' 

 in which it is made. it always builds or burrows in a bank sloping to the south, and in QTJ - 

 The burrow is deep, and lodges a colony of from twenty to fifty individuals. The quantity 1 

 dried grass introduced into these social burrows is very great; and they are said to beveryindus 

 trimis in their labors. 



