118 MUSK-RAT. 



frequently seen them stunned by a blow with the axe on the ice above 

 them, (in the manner in which pike and other fish are sometimes killed 

 in our rivers, when they are frozen over ;) a hole is then cut in the ice, and 

 they are secured without difficulty. The houses of the Musk-Rats, which 

 have been broken up by the hunters are soon restored, the repairs com- 

 mence the following night, and are usually completed by morning ! 



In regard to the food of the Musk-Rat, our experience induces us to be- 

 lieve, that like its congener, the house rat, it is omnivorous. In 1813, we 

 obtained two of this species, when very young, for the purpose of domesti- 

 cating them, in order that we might study their habits. They became so 

 perfectly gentle, that they came at our call, and were frequently carried 

 to an artificial fish-pond near the house, and after swimming about for 

 an hour or two, they would go into their cage, which was left for them at 

 the water's edge. A few years ago, we received from Lee Allison, Esq., 

 residing at Aikin, South Carolina, one of this species in a box lined with 

 tin. We have thus had opportunities of ascertaining the Idud of food to 

 which they gave a preference. We would, however, remark, that the 

 food taken by an animal in confinement, is no positive evidence of what 

 it Avould prefer vv^hen left to its free choice in the meadows, the brooks, 

 and the fields it inhabits in a state of nature. Their food in summer, 

 consists chiefly of grasses, roots, and vegetables. We have often watched 

 them early in the morning, eating the young grass of the meadows ; they 

 seemed very fond, especially of the timothy, (PMetim pratense,) and red- 

 top, (Agrostis ;) indeed, the few bunches of clover, and other kinds of grass 

 remaining in their vicinity, gave evidence that the Musk-Rats had been 

 at work upon them. The injury sustained by the farmer, from these ani- 

 mals, however, is by the destruction of his embanlcments and the excava- 

 tions through his meadows, made in constructing their galleries, rather 

 than from the loss of any quantity of grass or vegetables they may destroy ; 

 although their depredations are sometimes carried on to the great injury 

 of vegetable gardens. 



An acquaintance who had a garden in the neighbourhood of a meadow 

 w^hich contained a large number of Musk-llats, sent one day, to enqmre 

 whether we could aid in discovering the robbers who carried ofi" almost 

 every night a quantity of turnips. We were surprised to find on examin- 

 ing the premises, that the garden had been plundered and nearly ruined by 

 these Rats. There were paths extending from the muddy banks of the 

 stream, winding among the rank weeds and grasses, passing through the 

 old worm fence, and leading to the various beds of vegetables. Many of 

 the turnips had disappeared on the previous night — the duck-like tracks 

 of the Musk-Rats were seen on the beds in every direction. The paths 



