EXTINCT IN imiTAIN WITHIN HISTOKIC TIMES. 13 



tlieyr common seal tlic tiiiure of abevcr." Other places in England 

 also seem to indicate by their names the ancient haunts of this animal, 

 as Bevercge and Bevere Island (Worcestershire), Bevercoates 

 (Nottinghamshire), Beverstone (Gloucestershire), and Beversbrook 

 (Wiltsliire). 



The lately attempted re-introduction of the beaver into Scotland 

 by the Mar(|uis of Bute deserves here a passing notice. 



In a solitary pine-wood near liothesay, in the Isle of Bute, a 

 space of ground has been walled in, so that the beavers cannot 

 escape, and through this park runs a mountain stream. Left to 

 themselves, they have quite altered the appearance of this stream, 

 for they have built no fewer than three dams across it ; the lowest 

 is the largest and most firmly constructed, as it would seem the 

 beavers were fully aware that it would have to bear the greatest 

 pi'cssure of water. In order to strengthen this dam, these intelli- 

 gent animals have supported the down-stream surface of it with 

 props of strong boughs, as artfully secured as though a human 

 engineer had been at work. Immediately above this the beavers 

 have constructed their hut or home, consisting apparently of a 

 large heap of drift-wood. Upon examination, however, it appears 

 that the sticks have been placed with regularity and order, so that 

 the general appearance of the hut is not unlike a bird's nest turned 

 upside down. The beavers have cut down a good many trees in 

 their park, gnawing a wedge-shaped gap into one side of the tree 

 until it totters, and then going round to the other side and gnawing 

 the only portion of wood which prevents it from falling. If the 

 felled log is too heavy for transport, they cut it into pieces, which 

 they roll away separately. Although there have been one or two 

 deaths, it is satisfactory to learn that these beavers have bred 

 in the island since their introduction. In December, 1877, there 

 were twelve known to be alive. They were reported to be very 

 shy, retiring into their hut, or into the water, at the least alarm. 

 Besides what vegetable food they pick up, they are fed principally 

 with willow boughs, the bark of which they strip off with the 

 neatness of a basket-maker. 



This is not the only experiment, however, which has been made 

 of late years in regard to the re-introduction of beavers into this 

 country. A similar attempt has been made in Suffolk. Some 

 beavers were turned down by Mr. Barnes, of Sotterley Park, 

 "Wangford, and on their dams being destroyed as an eyesore, they 

 strayed further down the stream which runs through the park. 

 They were there two winters, and bred, having three or four young 

 ones. Two of these which strayed were killed at Benacre in the 

 spring of 1872, and one was captured. They began to build a 

 lodge in the West Bush, against Benacre Broad, did no damage to 

 trees, but destroyed some underwood. This third beaver seems to 

 have been killed, as two of the three were sent to London to be 

 stuffed for Lady Gooch, and the head-keeper took the skin of the 

 third. 



It is interesting to find that, but for the interference of man, 



