THE PRAIRIE DOG. 15 



animal, and we will therefore place it in the former of these 

 categories. 



This animal is sometimes called the Wish-ton-wish, but it is 

 usually known by the name of Prairie Dog, though it is a rodent 

 and not a carnivorous animal. The reason of its popular name 

 Hes in the short yelping sound which it is fond of uttering, and 

 which bears some resemblance to the bark of a young puppy. 

 Even in captivity it utters this' short, impatient yelp, which may 

 generally be extorted from the little animal by placing the hand 

 near the cage. 



In spite of the formidable foes by which it is attacked, and 

 which take up their residence in the very centre of its habita- 

 tions, the Prairie Dog is an exceedingly prolific animal, multi- 

 plying rapidly, and extending its excavations to vast distances. 

 Indeed, when once the Prairie Dogs settle themselves in a con- 

 venient spot, their increase seems to have no bounds, and the 

 tittle heaps of earth which stand near the mouth of their burrows 

 extend as far as the eye can reach. 



The burrows are of considerable dimensions, and evidently 

 run to no small depth, as one of them has been known to absorb 

 five barrels of water without being filled. It is not impossible, 

 however, that there might have been a communication with 

 some other burrow, or that the soil might have been loose and 

 porous, and suffered the water to soak through its substance. 

 They are dug in a sloping direction, forming an angle of about 

 forty -five degrees with the horizon, and after descending for five 

 or six feet, they take a sudden turn, and rise gradually upwards. 

 Thousands upon thousands of these burrows are dug in close 

 oroximity to each other, and honeycomb the ground to such an 

 extent that it is rendered quite unsafe for horses. 



The scene presented by one of these ' dog towns' or ' villages,' 

 as the assemblages of burrows are called, is most curious, and 

 well repays the trouble of approaching without alarming the 

 cautious Httle animals. Fortunately for the traveller, the Prairie 

 Dog is as inquisitive as it is wary, and the indulgence of its 

 curiosity often costs the little creature its life. Perched on the 

 hillocks which have already been mentioned, the Prairie Dog is 



