Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-01-18

lodge on flying visit to companion apparently
to exchange few words. and then scamper back
as fast as his legs would carry him
By-and-by, as we kept perfectly still, some of
| our nearer neighbors were seen cautiously poking
their heads FROM out their holes and looking cum
ningly, and at the same time inquisitively, about
them. After some time. dog would emerge from
the entrance of his domicile squat upon his look.
ing out place, shake his head, and commence yelp
ing.
For three hours we remained watching the
movements of these animate, and occasionally
picking one of them off with our rifles. No less
than nine were obtained BY the party. One cir
cumstance | will mention as singular in the ex-
treme, and which shows the social relationship
which exists among these animals as well as the
regard they have one for another.
One of them had perched himself directly upon
the pile of earth in front of bis hole, sitting up and
offering fair mark, while companions head,
too timid, perhaps, to expose himself farther, was
seen Poking out of the entrance. A well-directei
shot carried away the entire top of the head Of the
first dog, and knocked him some two or three feet
the other daringy came OUT seizing his compan-
ion by one of his legs, and before we cunld arrive
at the hole, had drawn him completely out of
reach, although we tried to twist him out with a
ramrod:
! There was feeling in this act--a something
human, which raised the animals in my estima-
ton; and never after did attempt to kill one of
/ fhpn tv1,INo ~ -
The ptaire dog is about the size of a rabbit,
heavier perhaps. more compact. and with much
shorter legs, In appearance, it resembles the
ground hog of the north although trife smaller
than that animal In their habits the prairie dogs
are social never live alone like other animals but
are always found in villages or large settlements.
They are wild, frolicsome set of fellows when
undisturbed, restless, and ever on the move They
seem to take especial delight in chaterng away
the time, and visiting about, from hole to hole to-
gossip and talk over one anothers afairs at least,
so their actions would indicate. Old hunters say
that when they find good location for a village;
and no water IS handy, they dig we'll 10 supply
the wants of the community.
On several occasions, have crept up close to
one of their villages, without being observed that
| might watch their movements Directly in the
| centre of one of them, partially noticed very
large dog, sitting in front of his door, or entrance
TO his burrow, and by his own actions and those
of his neighbors, it really looked as though he was
the president, mayor or chief; a, all events, he
was the 'big dog" of the place.
For at least an hour, watched the movements
of this little community; during that time the
large dog have mentioned received at least
dozen visits from hisfellow dogs WHO would stop
and chat with him few moments, and then run
on to their domiciles All this while he never left
his post for single minute, and thought could
discover a gravity in his department, not dscerni-
BILE in those by whom he was addressed Not
being learned in the canine yernacular, Of course
cannot say that the visits he received were upon
business, or having any thing TO do with the local
government of the village; but certainly appeared
as if such was the case. If any animal is endcvs-
ed with reasoning powers, OF has any system of
laws regulating the body polite, it is the prairie
dog
In different parts of the village the members of
it were seen gambolling, frisking, and visiting
about, occasionally turning heels over head into
their holes, and appearing to have all sorts of fun
among themselves: Owls of a singular species
were also seen among them; they did not appear
to join in their sports in any way, but still seemed
to be on good terms, and as they were constantly
entering and coming out Of the same holes, they
might be considered as members of the same fam
lily, or, at least, guests. Rattlesnakes, too, dwell
among them; bet the idea generally received "a
mong the Mexcans, that they live upon terms of
companionship with the dogs, is quite ridiculous,
and without any foundation.
The snakes look upon as Ioafers, not easily
shaken off by the regular inhabitants, and shey
make use of the dwellings of the dogs as aors
quarters than they could find elsewhere.
We killed one short distance from burrow
which had made meal of little pup although
do not think they can master fu}i-grown dogs
This city Of the dogs, which we visited, was
several miles in length and at least mile in width
Around and in the vicinity, were smaller villages
suburbs to the towa. We kndled fire, and
cooked three of the animals we had shot the meat
vas exceedingly sweet tender and juicy. resem-
bling that of the squirrel only that there was more
at upon it,