362 
VERTEDRATA. 
More tlian a dozen sjpecies of tliis genus are found in North America. One of the most inter- 
esting is Parry's Marmot-Squirrel, S, Parryi. This is the SeeJc-seek of the Esquimaux, and 
the Thoe-thiay, or Rock-Badger, of the Chippeways. The ears are very short; body thickly 
spotted above with white on a gray or black ground; pale rust-colored beneath; face chestnut- 
colored ; the tail one-third longer than the hind-feet, stretched out fiat, black at the extremity, 
with a narrow white margin, rust-colored beneath ; length of head and body, eight inches six 
lines; of the vertebras of the tail, one inch six lines. 
Richardson tells us that this Spermophile inhabits the Barren Grounds skirting the sea-coast 
from Fort Churchill in Hudson's Bay round by Melville Peninsula, and tlic whole northern ex- 
tremity of the continent to Behring's Straits, where specimens precisely similar were procured by 
Captain Beechey. It is abundant in the neighborhood of Fort Enterprise, near the southern 
verge of the Barren Grounds, in 65" north latitude, and is also plentiful on Cap ^ Parry, one of 
the most northern parts of the continent. It is found generally in stony districts, but seems to 
delight chiefly in sandy hillocks among rocks, where barrows, inhabited by different individuals, 
may be often observed crowded together. 
One of the society is generally observed sitting erect on the summit of a hillock, while the 
others are feeding in the neighborhood. Upon the approach of danger he gives the alarm, and 
they instantly hurry to their holes, remaining, however, chattering at the entrance until the ad- 
vance of the enemy obliges them to retire to the bottom. When their retreat is cut off they be- 
come much terrified, and, seeking shelter in the first crevice, they not unfrequently succeed only 
in hiding the head and fore part of the bod}', Avhile the projecting tail is, as is usual with them 
under the influence of terror, sj^read out flat on the rock. Their cry in this season of distress 
strongly resembles the loud alarm of the Hudson's Bay squirrel, and is not very unlike the sound 
of a watchman's rattle. The Esquimaux name of Seck-seek is an attempt to express this sound. 
Hearne states that they are easily tamed, and very cleanly and playful when domesticated. They 
never come abroad during the winter. 
PEAIKIE MARMOTS AND BUREOWING OWLS. 
The Prairie Dog, S. Ludovicianus, is sometimes called the Wish-ton-wish, and sometimes the 
Prairie Marmot, or Prairie Marmot-Squirrel. Its appearance is much like that of the marmots, 
being short, thick, and clumsy; but its cheek-pouches, though only three-fourths of an inch deep, 
place it with the spermophiles. Its body is about thirteen inches in length; on its back the 
color is reddish-brown, mixed with gray and black; beneath it is a dirty white. _ In several re- 
