The Woodchuck 29 



inclined downward quite sharply, then turned slightly- 

 upward and continued along beneath the surface 

 for a distance of fifteen feet; this arrangement secured 

 good drainage, which is all-important in the home of 

 the woodchuck. There was a small side tunnel four 

 feet long which ended in an exit, while the main 

 burrow terminated in a chamber of considerable size, 

 in which there was a quantity of fine grass for bedding. 



When the woodchucks had completed their home 

 they were ready for housekeeping. The meadows 

 had been mown and a tempting new clover crop was 

 spread before them. There was nothing to do now 

 save to eat, bask in the golden autumn sunshine, and 

 eat again. With a few weeks of this sort of life there 

 came a wonderful change in their appearance; their 

 cheeks were distended, their fur glossy, and their 

 skins stretched with fatness. 



When September was well advanced, they could 

 eat no more, and had only to wait and doze away the 

 time until about the first week in October, when 

 Mother Nature would put them sound asleep. The 

 blood began to flow more slowly through their veins, 

 a sleep crept gradually over them which they could 

 not resist, and finally, side by side in their snug retreat, 

 they curled themselves into balls of fur, and fell asleep. 



Warm summer days followed with their mellow light ; 



