164 A LITTLE BEAVER 



When alarmed, the muskrat dives quick as a 

 flash, and swims far and well under water before 

 breaking the surface for air; and this seems to be 

 his only idea of escaping from danger. 



The secret of the persistent holding out of the 

 muskrat against the persecution of natural enemies 

 and the relentless pursuit by man lies in its fecun- 

 dity, its hardiness, its easy adaptation to changed 

 conditions, and the abundance of food supplied by 

 every stream in which water-plants grow and the 

 fresh-water mussel lives. Long may the tribe en- 

 dure to give a touch of wild life to our tamed 

 streams. 



