ORDER RODENTIA. 227 



near their burrows, from about the month of September. 

 In spring, when the snow melts, these little heaps of 

 forage are no longer seen, and nothing but the dispersed 

 refuse remains. 



These animals have much vivacity and quickness of 

 motion, but they are extremely timid, and are not easily to 

 be tamed ; their cry is a sharp sort of hiss. Still less in 

 dimensions and powers than the Pika, properly speaking, 

 the Ogotones are even more exposed to a host of enemies ; 

 the birds of prey watch and seize them by day, the Lynxes 

 principally subsist on them by night, and the Marten Pole- 

 cat, and others of the Weasel tribe, wage war against 

 them at all times. 



Pallas gives us little information on the subject of the 

 re-production of these animals ; they must, however, be 

 very prolific, as in spite of the number and voracity of their 

 enemies, they continue very abundantly in their native 

 regions. 



The Calling Pika, Lepus Pusillus, Pallas, very much re- 

 sembles the last species, but is still smaller, and weighs only 

 from three ounces and a quarter to four and a half, and in 

 winter two and a half. The head is rather larger than in 

 the other two species, and thickly covered with fur. It is 

 extremely pretty, covered with long soft hair, brownish- 

 lead colour, or gray, with a yellowish tinge on the sides; the 

 ears are triangular, and edged with white. It is also an in- 

 habitant of Tartary, and especially the banks of the Volga. 



These little animals dig burrows, which are deeper than 

 those of the last- mentioned species, in places covered with 

 underwood, and abounding in herbage ; they generally 

 remain earthed during day, and quit their retreat on the 

 approach of night, in search of food, returning to it again 

 before sun-rise ; they sleep like the Common Hare, with 

 the eyes open, and appear to see equally well by night and 

 day. In the evening, and again in the morning, they call to 



