REBUILDING A BEAVER COLONY 135 



may have been the leading colonist, the ruler 

 of the colony, if there be such a position. 



Beavers cooperate and carry out a distinct 

 plan; in doing this they work both unitedly and 

 singly. The whole work, however, advances 

 as though to a plan and as though under con- 

 stant supervision. Through the years I have 

 seen beavers working hundreds of times. Their 

 work is nearly always efficient and apparently 

 under the direction of an expert in beaver work; 

 but never have I seen any sign or signal given by 

 a beaver that I could positively say was an or- 

 der or command. But I see no way of explain- 

 ing the magnitude of beaver works and the 

 skill shown therein except through cooperation 

 under an acknowledged leader. 



One evening as I was watching, a bobcat 

 chased two beavers into the pond. A few yards 

 farther and they would have been overtaken. 

 But the instant they dived into the pond they 

 were safe. 



The wild enemies of beavers are lions, bears, 

 wolves, and wildcats; in fact, any flesh-eating 

 animal large enough to kill one. Rarely is a 

 beaver captured in water; he is a swift swimmer 

 and can long remain under water. But on 

 land he is slow getting into action, is not agile, 

 and in going has only low gear. For safety 

 he aims to cut trees that are closest to the water. 



