Our Jnenb f 0e 



call. Occasionally this whistle appears to be a 

 call of alarm, suspicion, or warning. Sometimes 

 when alarmed, a young beaver gives a shrill and 

 frightened cry not unlike that of a lost human 

 child. On a few occasions I have heard, while 

 listening near a beaver house in the early sum- 

 mer, something of a subdued concert going on 

 inside, a purring, rhythmic melody. They have 

 a kind of love ditty also. This is a rhythmic 

 murmur and sigh, very appealing, and it seems 

 strangely elemental as it floats across the beaver 

 pond in the twilight. 



It is probable that beaver mate for life. All 

 that is known concerning their ways indicates 

 that they are good parents. The young are usu- 

 ally born during the month of April. The number 

 varies from one to eight; probably four is the 

 number most common. A short time before the 

 birth of the youngsters, the mother invites the 

 father to leave, or compels him to do so, or he 

 may go voluntarily, and she has possession of 

 the house or burrow, probably alone, at the time 

 the youngsters are born. Their eyes are open 

 from the beginning, and in less than two weeks 

 27 



