716 RODENTIA. 



GENUS CYNOMYS. 



The two species inhabit the plains east of the Rocky Mountains from 

 the Upper Missouri to the Red River and the Rio Grande. Their bur- 

 rows are numerous on the prairies, and the manner in which they perch 

 themselves on little mounds and gaze on intruders is noticed by all 

 travelers. 



The Prairie DOG, Cynomys ludovicianns (Plate LVII), is found in vast 

 numbers wherever the soil is favorable for its subterranean works, and 

 where there is vegetation sufficient to support it. Its color is reddish- 

 brown on the back, mixed with gray and black. The abdomen and 

 throat are grayish-white ; the extreme half of the tail is covered with a 

 brush of deep blackish-brown hain The cheek-pouches are rather small, 

 and the incisor teeth are large and protruding from the mouth. The 

 length of the animal rather exceeds sixteen inches, the tail being a little 

 more than three inches long. The cheek-pouches are about three-quar- 

 ters of an inch in depth, and are half that measurement in diameter. 



As long as no danger is apprehended, the little animals are all in 

 lively motion, sitting upon their mounds, or hurrying from one tunnel to 

 another as eagerly as if they were transacting the most important busi- 

 ness. Suddenly a sharp yelp is heard, and the peaceful scene is in a 

 moment transformed into a whirl of indistinguishable confusion. 



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 won- 

 derful tenacity of life. A bullet that would instantly drop a deer has, 

 comparatively, no immediate effect upon the Prairie Dog, which is capa- 

 ble of reaching its burrow, even though mortally wounded in such a 

 manner as would cause the instantaneous death of many a larger animal. 



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 disappearing as if by magic. 



The burrows of the Prairie Dog are generally made at an angle of 

 forty degrees, and after being sunk for some little distance run horizon- 

 tally, or even rise toward 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. 



