

HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 373 



age. It lives in the crevices of rocks, and some- 

 times burrows in the earth lodged between the 

 clefts. Its voice is a sharp whistle, not unlike the 

 chirping of a Sparrow. 



In the autumn, great numbers of them assemble 

 together, and collect vast quantities of the finest 

 herbs, which, when dried, they form into pointed 

 ricks of various sizes ; some of them four or five 

 feet in height, and of proportionable bulk. These 

 they place under the shelter of an overhanging 

 rock, or pile round the trunks of trees. By this 

 method, these industrious little animals lay up a 

 stock of winter food, and wisely provide against 

 the rigours of those stormy regions : otherwise, be- 

 ing prevented by the depth of snow from quitting 

 their retreats in quest of food, they must all inevit- 

 ably perish. 



