As you see, this earth has not been allowed to lie in a neglected heap, such as rats and rabbits leave at the mouths of their burrows.

On the contrary, it has been built up with great care, and beaten together by the marmots' feet until quite firm and smooth; and the grass has been allowed to grow over it to save it from being washed down by rain.

It is evident the animal does all this with design--just as beavers, in building their houses.

Now, upon these mounds the marmots love to bask, and amuse themselves in the sun; and it is likely that they can watch their enemies better from this elevated position, and thus gain time to make good their retreat." "But some of the mounds look quite dilapidated," observed Francois.
"Look yonder, there are several of them caved in, and guttered by the rain! What is the reason, I wonder ?" "These are the ones in which the owls live," replied Lucien.

"See! yonder goes an owl into one this very moment! It is supposed that the owls have taken these from the marmots, and use them exclusively for their own dwellings; and, as you perceive, they do not keep them in repair.