THE LIFE OF A BEAVER COLONY 107 



notes sound like the call of some happy, peaceful 

 soul that has passed away to the land of shadow 

 and mystery. Amid such surroundings was it 

 ordained that they should live, knowing few cares 

 or troubles, spending the hours in happiness, 

 innocent as yet of the fear of man. They were 

 a playful trio, frolicking about in the water like 

 kittens on land, playing among the fluffy, wind- 

 blown willow seeds that raced across the water like 

 tufts of eider-down, or later among the broad 

 leaves of the spatter-dock and the water-lily, 

 filling the snowy petals of the flowers with spark- 

 ling drops as they splashed the water with their 

 diminutive tails. They played hide and seek, like 

 children, pushed each other off the half- submerged 

 logs exactly as boys would do, all the time gaining 

 the strength and agility which play is destined to 

 give. When the sun was shining they would often 

 sit on the banks of the pond and after making a 

 careful toilet indulge in the luxury of a sun bath, 

 sleeping, yet ever watchful. No one could say at 

 what moment during the day a silent-winged hawk 

 might swoop down on them, for they were small, 

 and tender enough to tempt the appetite of those 

 that feed on flesh. When a hawk is seen, even 

 though it appears as a speck in the heavens, the 

 little furry creatures will scramble into the water 

 and either resume their play or go into the lodge 

 for greater safety, usually giving a little, child-like 

 cry of alarm, and on entering the lodge they hold 



