HOOD'S MARMOT. 603 



As it is so wary an animal it is with difficulty approached or shot, and even when 

 severely wounded it is not readily secured, owing to its wonderful tenacity of life. A 

 bullet that would instantly drop a deer has, comparatively, no immediate effect upon 

 the Prairie Dog, which is capable of reaching its burrow, even though mortally wounded 

 in such a manner as would cause the instantaneous death of many a larger animal. 

 A tolerably large bullet through the brain seems to be the only certain method of 

 preventing a Prairie Dog from regaining his stronghold. The mode by which this 

 animal enters the burrow is very comical. It does not creep or run into the entrance, 

 but makes a jump in the air, turning a partial somersault, flourishing its hind legs and 

 whisking its tail in the most ludicrous manner, and disappearing as if by magic. Scarcely 

 has the spectator recovered from the ludicrous effect of the manoeuvre when the animal 

 begins to poke out his head again, and if not disturbed soon recommences his 

 gambols. 



The burrows of the Prairie Dog are generally made at an angle of forty degrees, and 

 after being sunk for some little distance run horizontally, or even rise towards the surface 

 of the earth. It is well known that these burrows are not only inhabited by the legitimate 

 owners and excavators, but are shared by the burrowing owl and the rattlesnake. Accord- 

 ing to popular belief, the three creatures live very harmoniously together ; but careful 

 observations have shown that the snake and the owl are interlopers, living in the burrows 

 because the poor owners cannot turn them out, and finding an easy subsistence on the 

 young Prairie Dogs. A rattlesnake has been killed near a burrow, and when the reptile 

 was dissected, a Prairie Dog was found in its stomach. 



Although it does not endure a domesticated life as well as many of the rodents, it 

 is possessed of very great affection and courage, as is seen from the following anecdote. 

 A hunter was engaged in shooting Prairie Dogs, and had succeeded in killing one 

 animal, which was seated upon the little hillock in front of its burrow. A companion, 

 which had not hitherto dared to expose itself to the hunter's fire, immediately issued from 

 the same burrow, and seizing the body of its friend, dragged it into the hole. The 

 hunter was so touched with this exhibition of true, loving feeling on the part of the little 

 creature, that he never could be induced to shoot another Prairie Dog. 



From the most recent accounts, it appears that the Prairie Dog does not hibernate, 

 but that it is as fresh and lively during winter as in the heat of summer. 



ANOTHER example of the genus Spermophilus may be found in the beautiful little 

 creature which is scientifically known as Hood's Marmot, but more popularly as the 

 Leopard Marmot. 



This pretty little animal is about the same size as the hackee, and is remarkable for 

 the brilliant and conspicuous manner in which its fur is diversified with contrasting hues. 

 Along the back are drawn eight pale yellowish-brown bands, and nine dark brown bands 

 of greater width. The five upper bands are marked with pale spots. The coloring is 

 slightly variable, both in distribution and depth of tint, for in some specimens the dark 

 bands are paler than in others, while in several specimens the pale spots have a tendency 

 to merge altogether and form bands. The average length of this creature is nearly 

 eleven inches, the tail slightly exceeding four inches in length. The cheek-pouches are 

 moderate in dimensions. It is an inhabitant of Northern America. 



This animal is said to be more lively and active than any of its relations, and to 

 be remarkably fearless as it whisks about the neighborhood of its home, uttering its 

 sharp little cry of " Seek-seek-seek" continually. This cry is common to many of the 

 Spermophilus, and has given the name of Seek-seek to another species belonging to the 

 same genus. It generally leaves its winter quarters at the beginning of spring, and 

 roams about in search of a mate. At this time the males are very pugnacious, and 

 engage in fierce contests for the possession of some favored individual of the opposite 

 sex. They are very heedless at this time of year, and can be easily caught in ordinary 

 traps. 



The burrow of the Leopard Marmot is generally driven perpendicularly into the 

 ground, to the depth of four or nearly five feet ; but on the plains of the Upper Missouri, 

 where the soil is sandy, and mixed with gravel, the burrow is almost horizontal, and lies 



