
NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 157 
familiar with the habits of the prairie-dog, that he does not require any 
; more water than is contained in the grass roots on which he feeds. Gen. 
i Marcy, in his ‘“ Army Life on the Border,” expresses this belief. When 
the grass is growing, and the roots are tender and full of sap, it is easy 
hi 
> 
ow sufficient moisture could be contained in the food of the prairie-dog 
to replace what must be lost in respiration, etc., and to carry on the pro- 
cess of digestion during the months of September, October and Novem- 

grows on the highlands where the prairie-dog villages are commonly 
found), becomes completely dried down to the roots, while the roots, 
being but two or three inches underground, become hard and ri 
Tame prairie-dogs are frequently seen to drink water. My belief in 
rie- dog town there are a suffi- 









Appearance of being lived in by a family. The excrement of the dogs 
does not lie around them i in such abundance, and the grass near has not 
been so extensively rooted up for 
The prevailing belief among frontiersmen, that prairie-dogs, gae ps 
nakes and prairie owls all live together on friendly terms, in the s 
hole, is Folie a mistake. It is founded upon the fact that rattlesnakes 
and dogs have been seen to come out of the same hole. 
such instances had, pro bably, been after a young dog for dinner. pues 
Prairie owl probably finds his food around oC | and makes his 
home in deserted holes.— GronGE M. STERNBER 
Breepinc Hanrrs or SALAMANDERS AND F ere | still s 
Sreat deficiency in our information concerning the breeding habits of 
n 
ought to make an effort to supply this spring. Careful observations made 
Upon any of our frogs, recording the Fi appearance, the time and place 
of laying the eggs, the form and appearance of the egg-clusters and how 

