FIBER ZIBETHICUS. l8l 



tending from the muddy banks of the stream, winding among the 

 rank weeds and grasses, passing through the old worm fence, and 

 leading to the various beds of vegetables. Many of the turnips had 

 disappeared on the previous night — the duck-like tracks of the Musk- 

 Rat were seen on the beds in every direction. The paths were 

 strewn with turnip leaves, which either had dropped, or were bitten 

 off, to render the transportation more convenient. Their paths after 

 entering the meadow diverged to several burrows, all of which gave 

 evidence that their tenants had been on a foraging expedition on the 

 previous night. The most convenient burrow was opened, and we 

 discovered in the nest so many different articles of food, that we 

 were for some time under an impression, that like the chipping squir- 

 rel, chickaree, &c., this species laid up in autumn a store of food for 

 winter use. There were carrots, and parsnips, which appeared to 

 have been cut in halves, the lower part of the root having been left 

 in the ground ; but what struck us as most singular, was that ears of 

 corn (maize) not yet quite ripe, had been dragged into the burrow, 

 with a considerable portion of the stock attached." * 



As has already been remarked, the Muskrat is exceedingly fond of 

 our common fresh-water mussels, and it is usual to find large num- 

 bers of their empty but unbroken shells strewn along the shore, or 

 in shallow water covering the mud or sand bottoms where it abounds. 

 Instead of devouring the mussels where he finds them, the Musk- 

 rat often carries them to particular spots, where large accumulations 

 of their shells may be found. 



In the course of their remarks upon the habits of this species, 

 Audubon and Bachman relate an experience that is as interesting and 

 remarkable as it seems to be unique : 'Tt is a well-known fact that many 

 species of quadrupeds and birds, are endowed by Nature with the 

 faculty of foreseeing or foreknowing, the changes of the seasons, and 

 have premonitions of the coming storm. . . . After an unusual 

 drought, succeeded by a warm Indian-summer, as we were one day 



* Quadrupeds of North America, Vol. I, 1846, pp. iiS-iig. 



