132 MARVELS OF THE ANIMAL WORLD 



but as a rule it dwells within a burrow excavated 

 in the bank of a river. 



The musk-rat or musquash is another animal 

 which, although generally dwelling in an under- 

 ground burrow dug out of the bank of a stream, 

 occasionally builds a residence above ground ; this 

 being composed of reeds, grasses, etc., formed into 

 a dome-shaped mass, held together with a plastering 

 of clay, and having its foundation upon a mound 

 of mud so that the summit of the nest is raised above 

 the level of the water which surrounds it. A single 

 chamber, measuring as much as two feet across, 

 is situated within the structure, from which a 

 tunnel-like passage leads to the exit placed below 

 the water. 



It is well known that our hare resides in a shallow 

 depression scraped out of the earth, which is known 

 as its ' form ' ; but the wood-hare of North 

 America, besides fashioning a similar kind of 

 domicile, also makes a nest therein which is con- 

 structed of leaves, grasses, and fur obtained from 

 its own body. Upon this soft bed the young ones 

 pass the early days of their existence, being com- 

 pletely covered up and concealed by the mother 

 when she finds it necessary to leave them for a 

 short period. 



Many of the squirrels build nests or ' dreys ' 

 for the accommodation of their young ; the struc- 

 tures being composed of leaves, mosses, and veget- 

 able fibres, and placed in the forked branches of 

 trees or in the cavities within the stems and boughs. 



The stoat makes a nest of leaves and grasses 



