166 RODENT WATER TRESPASSERS. 



leads. Except when pressed by hunger, it is scarcely 

 ever seen except in the water or on the river-bank ; 

 and even when on shore it is protected from its many 

 foes by its assimilation in colour to the locality which 

 it frequents. 



When it leaves the water and sits on the river- 

 bank, it has a way of remaining in a crouching sort of 

 attitude, and sitting absolutely still. As long as it 

 does not move, it bears so exact a resemblance, both in 

 colour and outline, to a lump of wet mud, that even if 

 it be pointed out by an experienced musquash hunter, 

 it can scarcely be distinguished from the mud on which 

 it is squatting. 



On land its movements are not remarkable in any 

 way, but when it is in the water the grace and swift- 

 ness with which it is endowed are really wonderful. It 

 is so quick and active that no hunter would dream of 

 shooting at it except from behind, for its watchful eyes 

 are sure to see the flash of the gun, and before the 

 bullet can reach it, the animal has dived, leaving the 

 missile to skim uselessly over the protecting water. 



This may seem strange to those who have not had 

 practical experience of the singular protecting power 

 of water against a bullet. There is no need for the 

 animal to descend to any great depth to be secure 

 against fire-arms. An inch will render it almost safe, 

 and two inches absolutely so. Indeed, if the bullet 

 has even to touch the water, the animal below it is 

 tolerably secure, for a bullet which strikes the water 

 obliquely does not enter it to the depth of half-an-inch, 

 but rebounds just like a stone when boys are playing 

 at " ducks and drakes," 



