The Woodchuck 21 



be slowly awoke, but toon fell asleep again because 



N;ilim: < allrrl for a IOHJMT nap. 



Let Ul select a representative woodchuck family 

 and follow in a general way '** career, front the time 

 the young are born until they arc safely settled in 

 homes of their own. The cubs usually number four 

 or five, and the date of their birth is not far from 

 the tenth of May* The snug little chamber in which 

 they are born is located two or three feet under die 

 ground and contains a small cozy bed of dry grass 



/>a!hr-n-r| the |>n-vioir, fall. 



By the old rail fence just back of the orchard on 

 my father's farm lived a woodchuck family. The 

 mother introduced herself one bright warm morning 

 in the latter part of May, just as old Rover and I were 

 Starting out for a day'** fishing. The shrill whistle 

 she gave was enough of a challenge for any boy and 

 dog. So off we started full tilt in the direction of 

 idle found* Of course Rover arrived first on the 

 scene of action, and when I got there he stood thrust- 

 ing his note in at the entrance of the burrow, wagging 

 his tail vigorously and giving utterance to the short 

 quick yelps so characteristic of a shepherd dog. The 

 burrow gave evidence of constant use, and for a 

 moment my attention was divided between the. in- 

 terests of hunting and fishing. However, a my game 



