44 SQUIRRELS AND OTHER FUR-BEARERS 



So far as I could see, from first to last they were 

 solid masses of grass, as if the interior cavity or 

 nest was to be excavated afterward, as doubtless 

 it was. As they emerged from the pond they 

 gradually assumed the shape of a miniature moun- 

 tain, very bold and steep on the south side, and 

 running down a long gentle grade to the surface 

 of the water on the north. One could see that 

 the little architect hauled all his material up this 

 easy slope, and thrust it out boldly around the 

 other side. Every mouthful was distinctly de- 

 fined. After they were two feet or more above 

 the water, I expected each day to see that the 

 finishing stroke had been given and the work 

 brought to a close. But higher yet, said the 

 builder. 



December drew near, the cold became threat- 

 ening, and I was apprehensive that winter would 

 suddenly shut down upon those unfinished nests. 

 But the wise muskrats seemed to know better 

 than I did. Finally, about the 6th of December, 

 the nests assumed completion ; the northern in- 

 cline was absorbed or carried up, and each struc- 

 ture became a strong massive cone, three or four 

 feet high, the largest nest of the kind I had ever 

 seen. "Does it mean a severe winter?" I in- 

 quired. An old farmer said it meant "high 

 water/' and he was right once, at least, for in a few 



