The Muskrat 81 



clusters of rushes are still standing. At such places 

 there are usually air holes, the breathing places for 

 the muskrat. He takes advantage of these holes and 

 forces the refuse of his food through them, thus form- 

 ing a little mound six to twelve inches in height. This 



THE WINTER LODGE 



wet material, along with a little mud, forms a compact 

 mass, preventing the water from freezing below. Here 

 the muskrat brings his food to eat, and here he obtains 

 the necessary air, remaining the while in a sitting 

 position, with his forward parts in the hut and his 

 hind parts in the water. Sometimes if a lodge is 



