Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/121

Rh haunches when he eats and takes his food in his hands and nibbles it. He belongs to the rodent (gnawers) family. When full-grown, he will weigh from eight to twelve pounds. He is about one-half the size of the porcupine.

He now takes a wife and establishes a home of his own. They choose a sunny hillside for their house. After tunnelling downward to allow for proper drainage, they begin tunnelling upward until they are about three feet below the surface. This tunnel runs about twenty-five feet in length, at the end of which is the living room. The Woodchuck's little bride brings soft grasses to line their little nest, and, presto, they have a home fit for a king. The Woodchuck is a native of New England. He is found in the United States and Canada. He is first cousin to the prairie dog, but does not live in colonies, but in pairs, as a respectable married couple should live.

The Woodchuck's children are four or five in number. They are well-behaved youngsters and develop the art of taking life easy at an early age. Mr. 'Chuck doesn't exert himself too much. He usually saves himself the trouble of making a