. Handbook of nature-study for teachers and parents, based on the Cornell nature-study leaflets. Nature study. 23 o Handbook of Nature-Study Candlemas Day, and if it sees its shadow, goes back to sleep for six weeks more, may savor of meteorological truth, but it is certainly not true of the ground-hog. The full-grown woodchuck ordinarily measures about two feet in length. Its color is grizzly or brownish, sometimes blackish in places; the under parts are reddish and the feet black. The fur is rather coarse, thick and brown, with longer hairs which are grayish. The skin is very thick and tough
. Handbook of nature-study for teachers and parents, based on the Cornell nature-study leaflets. Nature study. 23 o Handbook of Nature-Study Candlemas Day, and if it sees its shadow, goes back to sleep for six weeks more, may savor of meteorological truth, but it is certainly not true of the ground-hog. The full-grown woodchuck ordinarily measures about two feet in length. Its color is grizzly or brownish, sometimes blackish in places; the under parts are reddish and the feet black. The fur is rather coarse, thick and brown, with longer hairs which are grayish. The skin is very thick and tough and seems to fit loosely, a condition which gives the peculiar "pouring along" appearance when it is running. The hind legs and feet are longer than those in front. Both pairs of feet are fitted for digging, the front ones being used for loosening the earth and the hind pair for kicking it out of the burrow. The woodchuck's ears are roundish and not prominent, and by mus- cular contraction they are closed when the animal is digging, so that no soil can. enter; the sense of hearing is acute. The teeth con- sist of two large in- cisors at the front of each jaw, a bare space and four grinders on each side, above and below; the incisors are used for biting food and also for fight- ing. The eyes are full and bright. The tail is short and brushy, and it with the hind legs, form a tripod which supports the animal, as it sits with its forefeet lifted. When feeding, the woodchuck often makes a contented grunting noise; when attacked and fighting, it growls; and when feeling happy and con- versational, it sits up and whistles. I had a woodchuck acquaint- ance once which al- Treed! ways gave a high, Photo by Verne Morton. shriU, almost birdlike whistle when I came in view, a very jolly greeting. There are plenty of statements in books that woodchucks are fond of music, and Mr. Ingersoll states that at Wellesley College a woodchuck on the chapel lawn was wont to join the morning
Size: 1359px × 1839px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorcomstockannabotsford1, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910
