THE PRAIRIE-DOG VILLAGE, No. 41.
The Western Prairie-“Dog,” or Prairie Marmot, (Cynomys ludovicianus).—Occupying a conspicuous hill-top near the Small-Deer House, and overlooking the Wild-Fowl Pond, is a circular enclosure, 80 feet in diameter, surrounded by an iron fence with an overhang, with walls going down to bedrock. This contains about fifty fat and jolly little Prairie Marmots, one-half of which are the gift of a Montana ranchman, Mr. Howard Eaton. The soil of the enclosure has never been disturbed, and there is no danger that the little creatures ever will be smothered in their burrows, as frequently happens in earth that has once been dug up and filled in again.
Owing to its optimistic and even joyous disposition, the Prairie-“Dog” has many friends, and “happy as a Prairie-'Dog’” would be a far better comparison than “happy as a king.” His cousin, the woodchuck, has the air of being perpetually “in the dumps,” but the Prairie-“Dog”—never. His so-called bark is really a laugh, and his absurd little tail was given to him solely as a means of visible expression of good nature. But he has his enemies and detractors. The coyote loves his plump and toothsome body; the “granger” hates him for the multitude of his holes, and puts spoonfuls of poisoned wheat into his burrow.