CLASS MAMMALS: ORDER RODBSTTIA. 



101 



The 



Fig. 168. 



(^nSmys ludcmddnus, 

 Prairie Dog. 5. 



of carrying away four or five large acorns at a time. 

 Striped Prairie Squirrel is beau- 

 tifully marked by thirteen stripes 

 on a ground of reddish -brown. 

 It is a western burrowing species. 

 The Prairie Dog is found on the 

 prairies west of the Mississippi. 

 It has a short, puppy-like yelp, 

 accompanied with a quick jerk of 

 the tail. It digs a burrow, de- 

 scending at an angle of forty 

 degreesj-and having a bed of dried 

 grass at the end.* These are 

 often placed close together, form- 

 ing a dog-town reaching for 

 miles. The animal has a curious 

 habit of standing erect on the 

 little mound at the mouth of its hole, watching intently, and 

 at the first alarm tumbling down into its burrow. 



Hystricidae.— The Porcupine of North America has its 

 back, sides, and tail covered with spines three to five inches 



long. These are barbed with 

 n-umerous reversed hooks or 

 prickles, which are easily de- 

 tached, and, once embedded in 

 the flesh, work deeper and 

 deeper.f 



CaviidsB. — The Guinea Pig, 

 originally from South America, 

 Js,««rtKc™<sto. Porcupine, Europe. A. jg domesticated in all parts of 



the world. Though exceedingly quarrelsome with its fellows, 

 it is gentle toward other animals. 



* Rattlesnakes and burrowing owls are often found sharing its home, being 

 tolerated by the rightfiil owner from necessity. 



t None of the species can throw their quills, though all can erect them by means 

 of powerful subcutaneous muscles. When attacked the Porcupine, like the Hedge- 

 hog, rolls itself partially into a ball, and, brandishing its tail, stands ready for the 

 onslaught. The assailant, with nose, lips, jaws, and tongue filled with the treacher- 

 ous barbs, soon retreats with a howl of pain. 



Pit. im. 



