ROUND-TAILED MUSKRAT 



signs of its presence are lacking. On the other hand, where 

 the prairies are so completely filled with sphagnum and other 

 aquatic plants that little open water is left, and sometimes 

 none at all is visible over considerable areas, there Neofiher 



Fig. 90, Tail and hind foot of Round-tailed Muskrat 



chooses its home. In fact it is perhaps more of a bog inhabi- 

 tant than an aquatic animal. It progresses by runways over 

 the surface of the bog, and by tunnels through the oozy 

 muck. The latter must be constantly obstructed with the 

 thick peaty sediment that tends to fill up every open space 

 in the water of the prairie. Undoubtedly Neofiher also 

 swims when it encounters water of sufficient depth. . . . 



"The foundations of the nests rest on top of the sphagnum 

 rather than in the water. Many of them are anchored abo.ut 

 a turf of some of the larger prairie plants. . . . Some have 

 a still more solid foundation, as at the base of a clump of 

 buttonbushes, . . . or at the foot of a solitary young cypress 

 that has invaded the edge of the prairie. The height of 

 several nests, that were somewhat closely examined, varied 

 fcom about 12 to 18 inches; the diameter, from 12 to 24 inches 

 (and in one case about a yard). The fresh nests appear 

 nearly globular; the older ones become somewhat de- 

 pressed. . . . 



"The chamber is just about large enough to enable the 

 animal to turn around in it comfortably. Its floor is slightly 

 elevated above the water level, and is usually damp or moist. 

 There are invariably two entrances, or exits, on opposite 

 sides of the chamber. . . . 



"Among the other works of Neofiher are its feeding-stands, 

 which one may find throughout its prairie haunts. These 

 are essentially like the foundation of a nest, without the 

 superstructure of vegetation. . . . They are slight, smooth- 

 worn mounds of sphagnum, peat, herb stems, and the like, 



441 



