561 
We have no specimens from this county, nor have I actual proof 
of its being found here. Several times the presence of its burrows 
in the county has been reported, but each time investigation has 
shown that the burrows observed were the work of moles. I have 
taken it in Mason county, and it 1s reported to be common. in the 
western part of the state. 
This animal leads a life so largely subterranean and nocturnal 
that it is seldom seen. We have taken specimens within a few rods 
of the house of a farmer who had never seen the animal before 
though he had lived in that locality over twenty-five years. Its 
presence is plainly indicated, however, by small mounds of earth 
thrown up from its burrows. These mounds usually vary in diam- 
eter from a few inches to two feet, and are eight or ten inches 
high. On the prairies in the West, or wherever they are undis- 
turbed for a long time, they may be of much larger dimensions. No 
opening is evident in these mounds, the earth of which they are 
composed being pushed out ahead of the animal, and the last load 
left to block the entrance. The extensive burrows are from one 
to two feet below the surface, and their general location is indicated 
by the dirt-piles, and never by ridges on the surface as are those of 
moles. They also differ from mole-runs in being deeper and larger, 
and in the fact that the dirt from them is brought to the surface— 
not simply pushed aside, as is so often done by the mole. In dig- 
ging its burrow, this gopher pulls the earth back under it with its 
fore feet, then kicks it still farther back with its hind feet, and 
finally, when a considerable quantity has accumulated, it turns in 
its burrow, brings its fore feet together with the palms vertical and 
at right angles to the body, and with its hind legs pushes itself and 
the dirt out of the burrow. Merriam says that it can run as fast 
backward as forward, and that in carrying food it usually does so, 
reminding one of the motion of a shuttle. 
Very rarely solitary specimens are seen above ground, evidently 
prospecting for a change of locality. They apparently live in soli- 
tude except for a short time while mating. The eyes are small and 
the animals appear intolerant of bright light, carefully closing all 
openings into their burrows. They are extremely silent creatures, 
the only noise they ordinarily make being a hiss that appears to be 
merely a forcible inspiration and expiration of air. Under rare cir- 
cumstances they utter a feeble squeak. It is doubtful if the sense 
