
Muskrat 
According to Mr. Bangs it builds a large oval nest, sometimes, 
like that of the muskrat, situated in the water and rising above 
the surface, and at other times among the mangroves or even in a 
hollow stump. The former nests have two openings below which 
communicate, when not covered by water, with underground pas~- 
sage ways. While the Neofiber swims with ease it is rarely seen 
swimming about in the manner of the muskrat. 
Mr. Chapman states that their food consists of a succulent grass 
which grows abundantly where they are found. ‘‘To procure the 
younger and more tender portions Neofiber constructs a platform 
of the larger stalks on which he sits and feeds at leisure on the 
shoots growing in his vicinity; the size of the platform depends 
upon the abundance of the food growing near it, the harder 
rejected portions constantly adding to its bulk. 
Muskrat 
Fiber 2tbethicus Linnzeus 
Called also Musquash. 
Length. 24 inches. 
Description. Body thick-set like a very large meadow mouse, 
legs short, tail scaly, nearly naked and flat (compressed later- 
ally). Fur thick, with a woolly underfur, colour dark brown 
above, somewhat tinged with fulvous especially on the sides; 
beneath dull white, with scattered fulvous hairs, white on 
the throat, with white lips, and a brown spot on the chin. 
Range. Eastern North America, southward to Virginia and the 
middle Mississippi Valley. Replaced in Labrador, Newfound- 
land, lower Mississippi Valley and Dismal Swamp by closely 
related varieties. 
The muskrat, it seems to me, is just a little cousin of the 
beaver. About the only striking outward difference between the 
lives of the two is in the attitude each assumes toward man 
and his works. 
The beaver is wild and retiring, hating man in his destruc- 
tive advance along the quiet forest streams, which the beaver 
family had held as their own for untold centuries, and refusing 
to settle contentedly within sound of his works even where most 
protected and undisturbed. 
