72 
ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
“ They remain housed until the warm days of spring, when 
they remove the obstructions from their doors, and again 
appear above ground as gay and frolicsome as ever. In the 
early part of winter they are sometimes seen reopening the 
entrances to their domicils while the weather is still cold and 
stormy, hut mild and pleasant weather is sure to follow, from 
which it appears that instinct teaches them when to antici- 
pate good or bad weather, and they make their arrangements 
accordingly. 
u It has been said that the rattlesnake, and a species of 
small owl, are always found burrowing with the prairie-dog 
in the most perfect harmony. The snake is sometimes seen 
in the towns, but he is by no means a welcome guest with the 
proprietors of the establishment, and only resorts there to 
prey upon the dog. One that was killed by our party was 
found, upon examination, to have swallowed a full grown 
marmot. The owl is always seen sitting near the dogs at the 
entrance of the burrows, but I have never known them to 
enter or emerge from them. On approaching near they 
always fly away.” 
