Ph^tO by George Shiras, 3rd 

 AN e:aRI,Y WINTKR view OF THE SAME HOUSE, WITH THE MUSKRAT GETTING ITS 

 FINAE CARROT (SEE TEXT, PAGES 784-785) 



advance of the northern winter. About 

 White Fish Lake most of these ani- 

 mals seemed to have quarters habitable 

 throughout the year, but about lo per 

 cent built the usual dome of reeds and 

 mud in the marshes at the inlet and out- 

 let of the lake, where the running waters 

 prevented ice forming to the bottom, 

 while another lo per cent erected a sub- 

 stantial upper-story over their summer 

 homes in the river bank. Night views 

 of these different structures appear on 

 pages 783 and 784. 



Early in November, before ice formed 

 on the stream, a final flashlight picture 

 was taken of a muskrat climbing his 

 snow-covered house for a farewell bite 

 at a carrot, the welcome odor of which 

 had penetrated the cozy home and given 

 notice that the prospective meal would 

 be illuminated by a burst of light, affect- 

 ing his vision for the moment, but not 

 his appetite. 



MOTHER MUSKRAT CHASES A MINK 



Once while watching for deer from a 

 tree overhanging the water, I saw five 

 young muskrats sunning themselves on 

 a near-by log, while the mother swam 

 about in a watchful way. Suddenly she 

 gave a squeak and a flap of her tail ; 

 whereupon the youngsters tumbled off 

 into the water and, diving, disappeared in 

 the hollow end of the log, followed by 

 the parent. Looking about for the cause 

 of alarm, I saw a good-sized mink peer- 

 ing through the brush where the inner 

 end of the log was embedded in the bank. 

 Satisfied that the only chance for an im- 

 mediate meal lay in submarine opera- 

 tions and possibly not knowing a pro- 

 tector was at home, the mink glided into 

 the water and, without a moment's hesi- 

 tation, dived out of sight at the entrance 

 to the log, leaving me in the belief that 

 the purpose of such a bold marauder 

 would soon be accomplished. 



785 



