230 THE ‘DOG TOWN. 
which are nearly always found ‘paved’ with 
a fine species suited to their palates. They 
must need but little water, if any at all, as 
their ‘towns’ are often, indeed generally, fo 
in the midst of the most arid plains—unless 
we suppose they dig down to subterranean 
fountains. At least they 8 got com re- 
markably deep. Attempts either to dig or 
drown them out of their holes nee jencrally 
proved unsuccessful. 
Approaching a ‘village,’ the little dogs may 
be observed frisking about the ‘streets—_ 
passing from dwelling to dwelling appa- 
rently on visits—sometimes a few clustered . 
together as though in council—here feed- 
ing upon the tender herbage—there cleansing 
their ‘houses,’ or brushing the little hillock 
about the door—yet all quiet. Upon seeing 
a stranger, however, each streaks it to its 
home, but is apt to stop at the entrance, and 
spread the general alarm by a succession of 
shrill yelps, usually sitting erect. Yet at the 
report of a gun or the too near approach of 
the visitor, they dart down and are seen no 
more till the cause of alarm seems to have dis- 
appeared. 
Two other etiiele are said to live in com- 
munion with the prairie dogs—the rattle-snake 
and a small ow/ ;* but both are no doubt in- 
truders, resorting to these burrows for shelter, 
and to feed, it is presumed, upon the ‘pups’ 
of the inmates, 
__ * This has been called the Coguimbo oul. Tts note, whether 
natural or imitative, ee ee 
