EXDUcii.l SWEETWATER DISTRICT GAME. 63 



colonies. They are very bard to kill, and "show fight" to their last 

 breath. The red fox was observed a number of times on Sweetwater 

 Eiver, watching- for yoimg sage-hens. Black martens, or fishers {Mus- 

 tcla pennant}), were seen on the same stream. Typical for the low, sandy 

 comitry, and its accompanying sage-bmsh and cactus, arc the praiiie 

 dogs {Cynomys ludovicianns), replaced in similar resorts in the mount- 

 ains by the distinct C. columbianus. Living in more or less extensive 

 settlements, both these animals always appear to be busy running from 

 one hole to another. A small browai owl {Spcofyto cunicularia var. hypo- 

 gwa) lives in the same settlement with them and appropriates such holes 

 as have been abandoned. In the same regions Ave lind many specimens 

 of the little etriped and spotted goi)her {Spennophiliifi 13-li)icatus), a most 

 gracefid animal. Less agreeable to the traveler is the rattlesnake {Cro- 

 talns confiucntiis), which occurs often in very large numbers in these dry 

 localities. 



Sand-hill cranes {Grns canadensis) and a few specimens of the blue 

 heron (^Ardea herodias) were seen on the Sweetwater Eiver. They arc 

 exceednigly shy, and it requires patient labor to get within good rifle- 

 shot of them. 



