ARCro.MVS MOXAX. 246 



In localities where they are much hunted thev become wary and 

 difficult of approach. Their hearini^ is so acute that th(>\- take 

 alarni at sounds which escape our observation altogether. Wlien 

 feeding or otherwise occupied they frequently stop to listen, sitting- 

 bolt upright with the heatl inclined forward and the fore legs hang- 

 ing down over the breast. If a suspicious noise is heard and a 

 man or dog can be discerned in the distance, they are apt to pre- 

 cipitate themselves into their holes, not to emerge again till 

 sufficient time has elapsed to discourage the most enthusiastic and 

 patient of hunters who ma\" be waiting for a shot. • However, when 

 seen in an open field they ma)' generalh' be stalked by a ver\- 

 simple artifice. The)' seem to be wholK' unaccpiainted with man 

 except in the erect or senii-erect posture. Taking advantage? of 

 this fact, the hunter has merel)' to prostrate himself at full length 

 ui)()n the o'l'ound and crawl slowh' till within c!as\' ritlc; rans^e of the 

 nstonished beast, which, seeing little save the top of the man's hat, 

 and curious to see more, often stands er(;ct at the mouth of his 

 burrow, converting himself into a target that no marksman could fail 

 to hit. When a Woodchuck, seeing a man approach, withdraws 

 into his hole, he does not alwa)'s retreat immediate])' to its inner- 

 most recesses, but sometimes tarries near the mouth to await 

 developments. The hunter, axailing himself of the knowledge; of 

 this fact, i)roceeds deliberate!)' till withiii range, throws himself 

 upon the ground and uttc;rs a sharj) whistle, when, not infrecpienth', 

 the animal's head will be seen to i)()p up inepiiringl)' from its hole. 



W'oodchucks li\'e singK' or in })airs, tlie )Oung as a rule rcnnain- 

 ing with their parents only through the first few months. In the 

 latter part of the summer they usuall)' begin to shift for tlunnsc^lves, 

 and in early autumn the)' ma)' often be met with in the fic'lds and 

 forests far froni their holes. They now take refuge in stone walls, 

 hollow logs, and even in hollow trees when there is a sufficiently 

 large opening near the ground. It is not long before each has 

 fixed ujjon a spot agreeable to his indixidual fancx'. where he at 



