428 .THE MUSK RAT%, 



to which they retreat whenever their houses are at- 

 tacked. 



Their habitations, which are intended only for 

 the winter, are rebuilt annually. At the approach 

 of this season they begin to construct them, as 

 places of retirement from the inclemencies of the 

 weather. Several families occupy the same dwelling, 

 which is frequently covered many feet deep with 

 snow and ice ; the animals, notwithstanding, contrive 

 to creep out, and feed on the roots that are also bu- 

 ried beneath. They feed too on the fresh -water 

 muscles; and, when the season permits it, on fruit. 

 Kalm, in his American Travels, says that apples are 

 used as baits for them in traps. In winter, the male 

 and female are seldom seen far from each other *. 



During the summer they wander about, generally 

 in pairs, feeding voraciously on herbs and roots. 

 They walk and run in an awkward manner,^ like the 

 Beaver ; and cannot swim well_, their feet being un- 

 furnished with webs '^. 



The Musk-rats, as well as the Beavers, seem to 

 have their Drones or Terriers, which are at no trou- 

 ble in the common operation of building houses. 

 These burrow like Water -rats, in banks adjacent to 

 lakes, rivers, and ditches ; and often do much da- 

 mage by admitting the water through the embank- 

 ments of meadows. 



They are remarkable for a strong muksy smell : 

 whence they have their specific name. — Their nests 

 are formed of sticks, lined on the inside with soifie 



* i'cmi. Aict. Zool. I. 107. t Shaw, ii. 



