ALONG FOUR-FOOTED TRAILS 



build dams. They all depend on the nature 

 of the stream and the materials surrounding it. 



The creek had changed its course somewhat 

 during the freshet of the previous spring mak- 

 ing a deep bend. When the water rose from 

 the dam it fell back to the east and around the 

 little plot of ground at the bend making a min- 

 iature island upon which the beavers built their 

 winter home, or lodge as it is called. First 

 they dug two long passages from the island far 

 out into deep water. One was to be used as a 

 family entrance and the other to bring in food. 

 Upon the opening of the two subaqueous chan- 

 nels they built, or rather threw together, a rude 

 shaped structure composed of brush, logs and 

 great masses of mud and small stones. The 

 first winter the beavers built a modest home 

 some twelve feet across and seven feet high ; it 

 was made high as a precaution against the early 

 spring freshets that are so destructive and so 

 characteristic of all western streams. They 

 didn't need a massive structure for there were 

 only two of them to house and, being sensible 

 animals, they cared nothing for show but en- 

 deavored to be comfortable and get the most 



