How Animals Work. 



sides is dotted about with the little mounds of earth 

 that mark the entrance to the Prairie Marmot's home, 

 placed at a distance of about six feet apart ; while 

 the surface of the ground between the hillocks is 

 marked with well-worn tracks. "The burrows are of 

 considerable dimensions, and penetrate to no small 

 depth. They are dug in a sloping direction, at an 

 angle of about forty-five degrees, and after descend- 

 ing some five or six feet take a sudden turn and 

 then rise gradually upwards to open into the main 

 chamber or living-room, which is snugly bedded with 

 a quantity of dry grass, and is frequently provided 

 with a second passage, which probably serves as a bolt 

 run or means of escape should occasion for a hasty exit 

 other than by the main entrance arise. The mound 

 of earth thrown up at the entrance to the main shaft 

 of its home is used by the Prairie Marmot as a watch- 

 tower, where it sits up in a semi-erect attitude on its 

 haunches, keeping up a more or less incessant conversa- 

 tion with its neighbours, and at the same time a watch- 

 ful eye on the surrounding country. The result is that 

 it is practically impossible to approach one of these 

 colonies unseen, and the moment you are observed a 

 series of shrill yelps from the watchful sentries posted 

 on the hillocks sends the entire population scuttling 

 to earth. 



Though shy, the Prairie Marmot is a most inquisi- 

 tive little beast, so that its disappearance below 

 ground is rarely of lengthy duration. Hardly has one 

 had time to hide beneath some sheltering bush or be- 

 hind a bunch of reeds ere countless little heads and 

 bright eyes appear at the entrances to the burrows. 



