the scanty mountain grass and plants, especially as it does not hi- 

 bernate but lays up a large supply for the winter. To secure this 

 food, it often travels long distances, for although short-legged, it is 

 exceedingly quick of movement and little disposed to idleness or 

 fatigue. In storing the provision, sometimes a miniature haystack is * 

 built up of the gathered grass, or, more providently, upon considera- 

 tion of the many snowy days during which it must be buried alive, 

 a part of the dried herbage, at least, is tucked away safely in the 

 nesting place. When we remember, however, the meagre vegeta- 

 tion existing on the heights which the pika frequents and the con- 

 stant drain on its vitality due to the benumbing cold, we are not sur- 

 prised that in spite of all its activity and foresight, its body is always 

 thin and the general appearance that of a half-famished creature. 

 At its best, it is a curious object, combining some characteris- 

 tics of both the hare and the rat, and, perhaps more nearly resem- 

 bling the. guinea pig than either of them. While much smaller than 



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