The Woodchuck 9 



sound of something approaching and she lost no 

 time in hustling the little ones into the burrow, for 

 it might be old Rover racing across the meadow, and 

 possibly he would turn their way or wind them if 

 he came close. Sure enough! they were scarcely safe 

 when the dog appeared in full sight over a knoll, 

 making straight for them! The cubs could have 

 traveled only a part of the tunnel before they heard 

 the deep breathing of the dog at the mouth of the 

 burrow. The exertion and the excitement must have 

 made their tiny hearts beat fast, as for the first time 

 in their lives they learned what it is to be frightened. 



This was only the beginning of their education, for 

 day after day they came out of their burrow and 

 when they scrambled back, something had been 

 added to their little stock of woodchuck knowledge. 

 A part of this wisdom came through copying their 

 mother, but by far the greater part came through 

 instinct and through experiences of their own. They 

 learned which grass was good for food, which for 

 medicine, and which was not to be touched at all. 



Some attention was given to the art of climbing, 

 for from elevated positions they could command a 

 much more extended view of meadow and wood- 

 land — yes, woodchucks really climb fences and small 

 trees! and I found it extremely entertaining to 



