The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-10
PRAIRIE DOCS AT zoo IN CIVIL WAR; FIGHT IN THE SUN
"Little Animals Always at It When Weather Per-
 mits," Says Keeper.

New York. Nov. 1o.-The war in Europe no longer holds first place in discussion among keepers in the Geological Park in the Bronx. The park now has war of it's own, and while there has as yet been no cas- ualties, the bitterness of warfare is not lacking. This war is between op- posing clans in the prairie dog in- closure, and it is carried on with the industry characteristic of feud in the Kentucky mountains.
 To quote Charley Snyder, the prin- cipal keeper, "the little animals are l always at it when. the weather per mits." The most surprising thing about it IS, the keepers say, that the prairie dogs are usually most peace full. Just what started the feud no one knows.
 | It was Keeper Snyder who first mo- l ticed that the animals were in a state of war. As he was crossing from the bear pits one day last week his atten- tion was attracted by the shattering of the prairie dogs. He went over to the settlement and there he found that two opposing forces had met near
 
 peared to be intent upon telling each other few plain truths. Sometimes the remarks appeared to be too frank, for the animals would rush at each other and there would be lively mixup for a few seconds. The skir- mish ended when several of the dogs last their balance and tumbled over backwards.
 '"The war is on," Snyder reported seriously to Curator of Reptiles Ray mond l.. Ditmars.
 In response to MT. Ditmars' inquiry Snyder told him what he had ust seen. From a close study of the lit tie animals Snyder believes that the animals occupying the northerly bur rows of the village have declared war upon those living in the hillocks near the southwestern side of the inclosure. The leader of the army of the north is Smudge, a war-like old pairie dog, who has been in the park almost as long as Snyder. Always noted for his aggressive disposition. Snyder believes that it was Smudge who started the war. The northern side had the best of it at the start, for Smudge has al- ways been a believer in preparedness. Before beginning hostilities the Smudge party built barricade of sand in front of their end of the vil- lage.
 When war was declared Smudge led his followers over this barricade, and the actual fighting has been on that side of their trench" Though taken by surprise, Snyder reports the dogs at the south end of the inclosure rallied to the call of those first at tackled, and since then they have conducted a very spirited defense. Their leader appears to be large Canadian prairie dog. He is usually at the fore whenever there is any trouble, and 1t is apparent, Snyder says, that the others act under his orders. Snyder is also the authority for the statement that Smudge keeps sentinels posted to prevent the oppos- ing army from surprising his force and rushing the barricade.
 "A battle is really worth coming to see," said Snyder. 'It is amusing be- cause no one is really hurt. It is a sort of football engagement, with few timid ones chattering from the mouth of their homes., There is very s. cold. Just as soon as it warns up the watcher will see old Smudge appear at the entrance to his burrow. The dogs on sentry duty will run up to him, and I really believe that they report conditions outside the bar ricade.
 This done, Smudge will chatter a second or two. and his army will be- gin to appear. When all Is ready Smudge leads them out Then the opposing clan issues from their strongholds. AS a preliminary there is much popping in and out of heads, shaking of black-tipped tails, shrill calls of squatting sentries and other war-like manoeuvres.
 'The method of attack consists in, rushing at an adversary that has been sitting up, chattering taunts, taking position in front of him and talking back When the taunts become too personal one or the other will give a shove that will senr his enemy tumb1- ing backward. When the other re- covers his balance and his dignity, he will come back, and for time the two will engage in showing each other about. In the end one will give up. A retreat by any one of the combat ants is considered a decisive defeat.
 "If a dog dives into g. burrow the victor joyously fills up the mouth of the hole with loose dirt. He packs this down by putting the ground with the top of his head. The entombed and intimidated animal seems to be ashamed to dig his way out for at least an hour or more.
 It is interesting to watch the vic- tors with squeals of delight, hard at work, packing down the earth in the entrance to the hole of the defeated ones."
 Snyder holds that the Smudge clan are jealous because the animals at the south end receive lions share of the attention and admiration of the visit ing public.
 "How will the war end?" one of the visitors asked Snyder. M
 "The cold weather will nd hostil- ities." he replied. Even now the bat ties are confined to the middle of the day when the sun shines"
 INVEST IN DIAMONDS nTAnfONDS ARE ADVANCTNc vN