ARCTOMYS MONAX. 
i53 
made a still larger transfer of materials to form a more luxurious 
bed.” * 
The power of song is not often attributed to mammals lower in 
the scale than ourselves, and yet it is a fact that several species 
are capable of producing musical notes which are pleasing to the 
ear. In the American Naturalist for June, 1872 (Vol. VI, No. 6, 
pp. 365-366), is an article from the pen of Dr. A. Kellogg, entitled 
“ Singing Maryland Marmot." The writer states : “ For the last 
forty years the fact of the common Maryland Marmot, or Wood- 
chuck, being able to sing like a canary bird, but in a softer, sweeter 
note, has been quite familiar to myself, and others who could be 
brought forward as witnesses.” He then speaks of a very young 
Woodchuck which he raised, and goes on to say : “ It had a seat 
in the little high chair at the children’s table full oft. Its earnest 
and restless concupiscent purr as it scented sweet cake and fragrant 
viands was wonderful. At length it became as familiar as the 
family cat and finally burrowed under the doorstep. My impres- 
sion is now, and has always been, that it was a female. I used to 
watch the pet very closely to see how it sang, as children are apt 
to do. There was a slight moving of the nostrils and lips and 
consequently whiskers with an air of unmistakable happy or serene 
enjoyment. I question much if this is altogether unknown to 
others, always excepting naturalists." 
Woodchucks are so abundant in some parts of New Hampshire 
that the farmers have long demanded legislative aid for their 
riddance. At length the clamors from this source became so loud 
and continuous that the Legislature was forced to recognize the 
* American Natural History. Vol. I, 1842, p. 329. In treating of the habits of this species, Dr. 
Godman makes some very astonishing statements, statements that are wholly incorrect as applied 
to it in this region, though possibly true in some parts of its extensive habitat. His figure bears 
as close a resemblance to the wolverine as it does to the Woodchuck, and yet, strangely enough, 
he speaks thus of those of his predecessors : “All the figures which have been heretofore pub- 
lished of this animal (with the exception of one given in the English translation of Cuvier, borrowed 
from a drawing by Le Sueur) have been copied from Edward’s, which is altogether unlike the 
animal ” (pp. 330-331)- 
