THE BEAVERS OF NORTH AMERICA 25 



different members coming in and going out at the 

 same time, as the tunnels are scarcely large enough 

 for the animals to pass each other. Where these 

 tunnels enter the pond, they are more or less 

 arched over with a network of sticks, evidently put 

 there to prevent the burrow falling in. In some 

 instances there is quite a long passage-way cut 

 through a compressed, tangled mass of brush, 

 which was probably originally the remains of a 

 winter food pile. In planning these entrances to 

 the lodge, it is clearly shown that the beaver know 

 what they are about and make provision for their 

 needs with great thoroughness. No sharp bends 

 are made, for that would make it difficult if not 

 impossible, to carry in the sticks which they take 

 into the house to feed on. After all the bark is 

 eaten the bare stick is taken out to be used in the 

 future for building and repairing lodges and dams. 

 Some very small twigs when peeled are worked 

 into the earth for flooring in order to allow for the 

 wear and tear, and keep the floor as dry as 

 possible. 



Cleanliness is of course essential where so many 

 animals are confined in such restricted quarters. 

 The beaver are model housekeepers and they allow 

 no dirt or rubbish to accumulate. Everything is 

 neat and tidy, whether the number of inmates is 

 small or large. How they manage to keep it as 

 dry as they do is a marvel when one considers 

 that each time a beaver goes into the lodge he 



