136 
Alpine iiarej. 
Their most southern residence is on the Altaio 
chain of mountains near lake Baikal, in Siberia ; 
and,they extend from thence as far northward as 
to Kamtschatka. They are always found in the 
middle regions of the snowy mountains, where 
these are clad with woods, and where herbs and 
moisture abound. They sometimes, burrow be- 
tween the rocks, but more frequently lodge in the 
crevices. They are generally found in pairs ; but 
in bad weather they collect together, lie on the 
rocks, and whistle so much like the chirp of spar- 
rows, as easily to deceive the hearer. On the 
report of a gun they run off into their holes ; 
whence, however, if nothing more is heard, they 
soon return. 
By the usual wonderful instinct of similar ani- 
mals, they make a provision against the rigorous 
season in their inclement seats. A company of 
them, tomards autumn, collect together vast heaps 
of favourite herbs and grasses, nicely dried ; 
which they place either beneath the overhanging 
rocks, or between the chasms, or around the trunk 
of some tree. The way to these heaps is marked 
by a worn path : and in many places the plants 
appear scattered, as if to be dried in the sun and 
harvested properly. The heaps are formed like 
round, or conoid ricks ; and are of various sizes, 
according to the number of the society employed 
in forming them. They are sometimes about a 
man’s height, and usually three or four feet in 
diameter. 
Thus they wisely provide - their winter’s stock; 
without which they must, in the cold season, in- 
fallibly perish ; being prevented by the depth of 
snow, from quitting their retreats in quest of 
food. They select the most excellent vegetables, 
and crop them when in the fullest vigour. These 
they make into the best and greenest hay, by the 
