This animal, when making its
burrow, works alternately the opposite sides of its body. One front
leg for a short time scratches up the soil, and throws it towards
the hind foot, which is well placed so as to heave it beyond the
mouth of the hole. That side of the body being tired, the other
takes up the task, and so on alternately. I watched one for a long
time, till half its body was buried; I then walked up and pulled it
by the tail; at this it was greatly astonished, and soon shuffled
up to see what was the matter; and then stared me in the face, as
much as to say, "What made you pull my tail?"
They feed by day, and do not wander far from their burrows; if
frightened, they rush to them with a most awkward gait. Except when
running down hill, they cannot move very fast, apparently from the
lateral position of their legs. They are not at all timorous: when
attentively watching any one, they curl their tails, and, raising
themselves on their front legs, nod their heads vertically, with a
quick movement, and try to look very fierce; but in reality they
are not at all so: if one just stamps on the ground, down go their
tails, and off they shuffle as quickly as they can.
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