THE STORY OF THE PRAIRIE DOG. 
201 
affairs of the community seem, to be regulated by a single leader, called the 
big dog, who sits before the entrance of his burrow, and issues his orders from 
thence to the community. In front of every burrow a small heap of earth is 
raised, which is made from the excavated soil, and which is generally employed 
as a seat for the'occupant of the burrow. 
As long as no danger is apprehended the little animals are all in lively 
motion, sitting upon their mounds, or hurrying from one tunnel to another, 
as eagerly as if they were transacting the most important business. Suddenly 
A PRAIRIE DOG TOWN IN COLORADO. 
a sharp yelp is heard, and the peaceful scene is in a moment transformed into 
a whirl of indistinguishable confusion. Quick barks resound on every side, 
the air is filled with a dust-cloud, in the midst of which is indistinctly seen an 
intermingled maze of flourishing legs and whisking tails, and in a moment the 
populous “town” is deserted. Not a dog is visible, and the whole spot is appar¬ 
ently untenanted. But in a few minutes a pair of dark eyes are seen gleaming 
at the entrance of some burrow, a set of glistening teeth next shine through the 
