498 



HOOD'S MARMOT. 



exhibition of true, loving feeling on the part of the little creature, that he never could be 

 induced to shoot another Prairie Bog. 



From the most recent accounts, it appears that the Prairie Dog does not hibernate, but 

 that it is as fresh and lively during winter as in the heat of summer. 



The Prairie Dog {Cynomys ludovicianus), erroneously so called, as it is a rodent or 

 gnawing animal, is represented by two species only, the genus being peculiar to North 

 America. 



This little creature easily becomes domesticated, and proves a pleasing pet. Its voice, far 

 from being a bark, is like that of its near relatives, squirrel -like. 



The Western Prairie Dog {Cynomys columbianus) is confined to the region west of the 

 Rocky Mountains. Like the other species, it lives in large companies ; sometimes several 

 hundred acres are occupied by their holes. Each burrow has ten or twelve occupants. 



An example of the genus Spermophilus may be found in the beautiful little crea- 

 ture which is scientifically known as Hood's Marmot, but more popularly as the Leopard 

 Marmot. 



This pretty little animal is about the same size as the hackee, and is remarkable for the 

 brilliant and conspicuous manner in which its fur is diversified with contrasting hues. Along 



HOOD'S MARMOT.— Spermojihilus hoodii. 



the back are drawn eight pale yellowish-brown bands, and nine dark brown bands of greater 

 width. The five upper bands are marked with pale spots. The coloring is slightly variable, 

 both in distribution and depth of tint, for in some specimens the dark bands are paler than in 

 others, while in several specimens the pale spots have a tendency to merge altogether and form 

 bands. The average length of this creature is nearly eleven inches, the tail slightly exceeding 

 four inches in length. The cheek -pouches are moderate in dimensions. It is an inhabitant of 

 Northern America. 



This animal is said to be more lively and active than any of its relations, and to be remark- 

 ably fearless as it whisks about the neighborhood of its home, uttering its sharp little cry of 

 " Seek-seek-seek " continually. This cry is common to many of the Spermophili, and has 

 given the name of Seek-seek to another species belonging to the same genus. It generally 

 leaves its winter quarters at the beginning of spring, and roams about in search of a mate. At 

 this time the males are very pugnacious, and engage in fierce contests for the possession of 

 some favored individual of the opposite sex. They are very heedless at this time of year, and 

 can be easily caught in ordinary traps. 



The burrow of the Leopard Marmot is generally driven perpendicularly into the ground, 

 to the depth of four or nearly five feet ; but on the plains of the Upper Missouri, where the 

 soil is sandy and mixed with gravel, the burrow is almost horizontal, and lies barely one foot 

 below the surface. The Leopard Marmot is rather a prolific animal, producing about eight or 

 ten young at a litter. It is said to be destructive to gardens which may happen to be in the 

 vicinity of its home, and is as capable of exercising its teeth upon an antagonist as on its food 



