454 THE BOBAC. 



These animals burrow obliquely in the ground to 

 the depth of two, three, or four yards : and form num- 

 bers of galleries, with one con mon entrance from the 

 surtace ; each gallery ending in the nesi of its inha-» 

 bitants. Sometimes, however, the burrows consist 

 of but one passage. Though these are found in the 

 greatest numbers where the earth is lightest, yet 

 they are very common even in the strata of the 

 mountains. In very hard and rocky places, from 

 twenty to forty of these animals join together to 

 facihtate the work ; and they live in society, each 

 'vvith its nest at the end of its respective gallery. — 

 To their nests they collect (especially towards au- 

 tumn) the finest hay they can procure ; and in such 

 plenty, that sufficient is often found in one of them 

 for a night's food for a Horse. 



During the middle, or sunny part of the day, 

 they sport about the entrance of their holes ; but 

 seldom go far from them. At the sight of Man, 

 they retire with a slow pace ; and sit upright near 

 the entrance, giving a frequent whistle, and list- 

 ening to the approach. In places where they live in 

 large families, they always place a sentinel to give 

 notice of any danger, during the tin:ie when the 

 rest are employed in feeding *. 



They are mild, good-natured, and timid. They 

 feed only on vegetables ; which they go in search 

 of in the morning, and about the middle of the 

 day. They sit on their hams when they eat, and 

 carry the food to their mouth with their fore- paws ; 



* Pcnn. Quad. ii. 100. 



