to procure a meal of good fresh fish, caught right at his own door 

 in the pond or stream beside which he has chosen to dwell. 



Then, in the marshlands near his home, he may, at short 

 notice, pick out the plumpest wild duck and the most tender of 

 frogs and meadow mice, or, going out of the swamp, up into the 

 woods, find great sport in the sly chase of a partridge or grouse, 

 where his keen sense of smell and quickness of movement are 

 most of all displayed. To be sure in winter the choice may be more 

 limited, but yet there are always rabbits to be had by this knowing 

 little hunter and usually an opening somewhere along the bank to 

 t admit him to his favorite fishing grounds under the ice. 



All in all, we fancy that few wild creatures have more chance 

 for real enjoyment than does this active, strong and wonderfully 

 versatile animal. Especially to be congratulated is he that each of 

 his haunts holds a peculiar place of refuge as well as a food sup- 

 ply. To escape danger he may dart behind a log and down into 



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