THE PRAIRIE DOG. 



497 



the Prairie Dogs dive into their burrows, and do not emerge again until they hear the shrill 

 whistle which tells them that the danger is past. 



As it is so wary an animal, it is with difficulty approached or shot, and even when severely 

 wounded it is not readily secured, owing to its wonderful tenacity of life. A bullet that 

 would instantly drop a deer has, comparatively, no immediate effect upon the Prairie Dog, 

 which is capable of reaching its burrow, even though mortally wounded in such a manner as 

 would cause the instantaneous death of many a larger animal. A tolerably large bullet 

 through the brain seems to be the only certain method of preventing a Prairie Dog from 

 regaining his stronghold. The mode by which this animal enters the burrow is very comical. 

 It does not creep or run into the entrance, but makes a jump in the air, turning a partial 

 somersault, flourishing its hind legs and whisking its tail in the most ludicrous manner, and 



PBAtTtlE DOG.— Cynaniys ludovictanm. 



disappearing as if by magic. Scarcely has the spectator recovered from the ludicrous effect of 

 the manoeuvre, when the animal begins to poke out his head again, and if not disturbed soon 

 recommences his gambols. 



The burrows of the Prairie Dog are generally made at an angle of forty degrees, and after 

 being sunk for some little distance, run horizontally, or even rise towards the surface of the 

 earth. It is well known that these burrows are not only inhabited by the legitimate owners 

 and excavators, but are shared by the burrowing owl and the rattlesnake. According to pop- 

 ular belief, the three creatures live very harmoniously together ; but careful observations have 

 shown that the snake and the owl are interlopers, living in the burrows because the poor 

 owners cannot turn them out, and finding an easy subsistence on the young Prairie Dogs. A 

 rattlesnake has been killed near a burrow, and when the reptile was dissected, a Prairie Dog 

 was found in its stomach. 



Although it does not endure a domesticated life as well as many of the rodents, it is pos- 

 sessed of very great affection and courage, as is seen from the following anecdote. A hunter 

 was engaged in shooting Prairie Dogs, and had succeeded in killing one animal, which was 

 seated upon the little hillock in front of its burrow. A companion, which had not hitherto 

 dared to expose itself to the hunter's fire, immediately issued from the same burrow, and 

 seizing the body of its friend, dragged it into the hole. The hunter was so touched with this 



