. . 1. A GROUP OF RODENTS 119 vals. The main chamber is situated under the roots of atree at a depth of about four and one-half feet; the entrancetunnel is sunk down to it with a spiral direction. Thischamber is large, is lined with soft grass, and serves for anesting and sleeping place. The nest in which the young,numbering from five to seven, are borrf, about the begin-ning of April, is lined with the hair of the mother. It issurrounded wth circular passages from which the tunnelsradiate. Gesner found that a passage leads from the
. . 1. A GROUP OF RODENTS 119 vals. The main chamber is situated under the roots of atree at a depth of about four and one-half feet; the entrancetunnel is sunk down to it with a spiral direction. Thischamber is large, is lined with soft grass, and serves for anesting and sleeping place. The nest in which the young,numbering from five to seven, are borrf, about the begin-ning of April, is lined with the hair of the mother. It issurrounded wth circular passages from which the tunnelsradiate. Gesner found that a passage leads from the nestto a larger hole, the storeroom, which is usually filled withroots, potatoes, nuts, and seeds. When throwing up theearth the gopher exposes itself to view as little as possible,and immediately after accomplishing its purposes plungesback into its hole. According to Audubon, it appearsabove ground to bask in the sun. We have seen it sit at theentrance to its den with an air of bold indifference to theapproach of danger and then suddenly vanish under
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booki, booksubjectnaturalhistory
