beavers working in the daytime. Always 

 the white crowned beaver was the leader 

 and seemed to be directing the work of 

 the other. When the structure was 

 completed it proved to be an excellent 

 example of reinforced concrete work of 

 a most substantial character. Never- 

 theless, six weeks later, just before 

 freezing weather started, a final coating 

 of mud three inches thick was plastered 

 over the entire outside surface of the 

 house. When frozen, this armor plate 

 would furnish complete protection to 

 the furry inhabitants against their most 

 ferocious enemies during the long and 

 hungry months of winter. 



Some years later, a beaver house, the 

 side of which had been cut away, af- 

 forded an opportunity for us to learn 

 how our white-headed friend finished 

 the inside of his castle. The rough pro- 

 jecting inner ends of sticks, branches 

 and brush were gnawed off making a 

 roomy, smooth-walled, dome ceilinged 

 space divided into two parts. The 



21 



