THE PRAIRIE-" DOGS" 201 



squirrels, but live quietly and unobtrusively. By reason of 

 the good sense they manifest in keeping out of mischief, 

 some of them are tolerated in farming communities when 

 more aggressive rodents would be exterminated. 



The woodchuck is our most perfect type of marmot, 

 from which the prairie-" dog," or prairie marmot, is slightly 

 removed by the possession of a large and perfect fifth claw. 

 It is desirable, however, that the latter should be included 

 in the group of marmots. 



The Prairie-" Dogs'' 



The Prairie-" Dog"' is a plump and sociable little ro- 

 dent, not a carnivore, — well known to every dweller in the 

 plains region of the great West, and to every transcontinental 

 traveller. His explosive, yapping cry is the most cheerful 

 sound of the western plains. He hates solitude, and always 

 lives in colonies of from 40 to 1,000 individuals. Unlike most 

 other burrowing rodents, the darkness and silence of a bur- 

 row easily pall upon his vivacious nature; therefore he spends 

 the greater portion of his waking hours above ground, visiting 

 his neighbors, and observing what goes on in his small world. 



When no enemies are in sight, he and his fellow-towns- 

 men roam about for short distances from their homes, and 

 feed upon grass blades and stems. At the approach of an 

 enemy, — man, coyote, badger, fox, gray wolf, eagle, or hawk, 

 — the sentry cries out sharply, "Skip! Skip! Skip!" 



Instantly every "Dog" halts, motionless and alert. If 

 the sentry again cries "Skip!" each "Dog" scurries to his 



^ Cy-no'mys lu-do-vi-ci-an'us. 



