350 THE WONDER OF LIFE 



Other Illustrations 



In a rookery we have familiar to aU an illustration of 

 communal life which is far nearer human society than are 

 the more elaborate instinctive integrates of ant or bee. 

 Rooks are permanently gregarious, feeding together, fly- 

 ing together, and nesting together. There seems no doubt 

 whatever that they post sentiaels — a devolution of duty 

 which is in itself social. And there appear to be certain 

 conventions which must be observed, disregard of which is 

 punished. 



Hudson gives a dehghtful picture of the simple social 

 life of the Viscachas, burrowing Eodents of the Pampas. 

 Twenty or thirty burrows are made close together, as in a 

 rabbit warren. The earth is carried off for a short distance 

 and may form a mound on which the Viscachas sit in the 

 evening. After sunset they go a- visiting to the adjoining 

 settlements, and their well-trodden paths show that there 

 is much coming and going. They seem to be stupid Httle 

 creatures, but it is hard to deny them a love of company. 

 Hudson says he doubts if there is any four-footed creature 

 so loquacious as this little Rodent, or with a dialect so 

 extensive. Sometimes the farmer fills up the burrows and 

 tries to smother the Viscacha villagers, but Hudson relates 

 that when the visitors come at night they try "vigorously 

 to dig their entombed neighbours out again. Surely more 

 than a touch of sociality. 



Much that is exaggerated has been said in regard to 

 beaver-viUages, but there is no doubt that individuals co- 

 operate in relatively gigantic enterprises. It is probable 

 that in previous ages this extremely shy animal hved in 

 larger communities and engaged in even greater endeavours. 

 To make a dam half a mile in length, or to cut a canal 



