86 ANIMAL COMPETITORS 
to them on the ice; but this practice destroys 
the houses and is not to be commended. Trap- 
ping near the houses in open water is far 
better. When the houses are not far from the 
bank, a long plank may be used advantageously 
as a support for traps. It is moored to the 
shore by a wire passed through a staple driven 
into one end of the plank, while the other end 
projects into the pond or rests against the side 
of the muskrat house. Light cleats are nailed 
to the upper side of the plank at intervals of a 
foot with space enough between them to hold 
a trap when set. The ring at the end of each 
trap chain is fastened to the plank by a staple. 
Baits of carrot or apple may be scattered along 
the plank; but they are not necessary, since the 
animals will use such a plank as a highway to 
the shore, and are almost sure to be caught. 
Most of the occupants of a house may some- 
times be taken on one plank in a single night. 
‘‘The box trap is a favorite with some trappers. 
They use a long wooden box whose cross section inside 
is about 6 by 6 inches and which has a gate at each 
end. The gates are of wire and arranged to swing in- 
ward but not outward. The box is set just under water 
with one end at the entrance to a muskrat burrow. 
