LEOPARD-SPERMOPHILE. 297 



But we should recollect that the diurnal birds are, during night, the 

 time for their repose, as dull and stupid as owls are during the day. 

 We should therefore not judge the habits of quadrupeds by the same 

 standard. In regard to their fur, and external markings, there are many 

 that will strike even the most careless observer as eminently beautiful. 

 The little animal which is here presented to you is one of this descrip- 

 tion. In the distribution of the tints that compose its gaudy dress, in the 

 regularity of its lines and spots, and in the soft blendings of its various 

 shades of colour, we have evidence that even species whose habitations 

 are under ground, may present to the eye as rich and beautiful a vesture 

 as is found in the garb of a majority of the lively songsters of the woods. 



In the warm days of spring the traveller on our Western prairies is 

 often diverted from the contemplation of larger animals, to watch the 

 movements of this lively little species. He withdraws his attention for 

 a moment from the bellowing buffalo herd that is scampering over the 

 prairies, to fix his eyes on a lively little creature of exquisite beauty 

 seated on a diminutive mound at the mouth of its burrow, which seems 

 by its chirrupings and scoldings to warn away the intruder on its peace- 

 ful domains. On a nearer approach it darts into its hole ; but although 

 concealed from view, and out of the reach of danger, its tongue, like that 

 of other scolds of a more intelligent race, is not idle ; it still continues 

 to vent its threats of resentment against its unwelcome visitor by a shrill 

 and harsh repetition of the ^vord " seek — seek." 



There is a great similarity in the habits of the various spermophili 

 that compose the interesting group to which the present species belongs. 



They live principally on the open prairies, make their bm-rows in the 

 earth, and feed on roots and seeds of various kinds, which they carry in 

 their pouches to their dark retreats under ground. 



The holes of this species, according to Richardson, run nearly per- 

 pendicularly, and are so straight, that they will admit a stick to be in- 

 serted to the depth of four or five feet. He supposes that owing to the 

 depth of their burrows, which the sun does not penetrate very early in 

 spring, they do not make their appearance as early as some others, espe- 

 cially S. Richardsonii. 



As soon as they feel the warmth of spring they come forth and go 

 in quest of their mates ; at this period they seem fearless of danger, and 

 are easily captured by the beasts and birds of prey that frequent the 

 plains. The males are said to be very pugnacious at this season. 



This is believed to be the most active and lively of all our known 

 species of marmot-squirrels ; we recently observed one in New York 

 that played in a wheel in the manner of the squirrel. We saw in 



39 



