height about the
entrance, by which it is secured from water during great rainfalls,
while cattle avoid treading over the great pit-like entrances, though
they soon tread and break in the burrows of the Armadillo and other
species when these make their homes on perfectly level ground.

The Vizcachas do not usually leave their burrows until dark, but in
summer they come out before sunset. Usually one of the old males first
appears, and sits on some prominent place on the mound, apparently in
no haste to begin his evening meal. Other Vizcachas soon begin to
appear, each quietly taking up his position at the burrow's mouth. The
females, known by their smaller size and lighter colour, sit upright
on their haunches, as if to command a better view; they are always
wilder and sprightlier in their gestures than the males. They view a
human stranger with a mixture of fear and curiosity, sometimes
allowing him to come within five or six paces of them; in desert
regions, however, where enemies are numerous, the Vizcacha is very
timid and wary.

These animals are very sociable, and their sociability extends beyond
their own vizcachera. On approaching a vizcachera at night, usually
some of the Vizcachas on it scamper off to distant burrows. These are
neighbours merely come to pay a friendly visit. The intercourse is so
frequent that little straight paths are formed from one village to
another. Their social instinct leads members of one village to assist
those of another when in trouble. Thus, if a vizcachera is covered
over with earth in order to destroy the animals within, Vizcachas from
distant burrows will subsequently be found zealously digging out their
friends. The hospitality of the Vizcacha does not, however, extend to
his burrow; he has a very strong feeling with regard to the sanctity
of the burrow. A Vizcacha never enters another's burrow, and if by
chance driven into one by dogs will emerge speedily, apparently
finding that the danger within is greater than the danger without. In
connection with the sociability of the Vizcacha, we must take into
consideration the fact that Vizcachas possess a wonderfully varied and
expressive language, and are engaged in perpetual discussion all night
long.[86]

[86] The Vizcacha has been carefully studied by Mr. W. H.
Hudson, whose account has here been closely followed,
_Proceedings of the Zoological Society_, 1872, and
_Naturalist in La Plata_, 1892, pp.