268 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
autumn ; but during winter they fall off in flesh, 
so that they are generally quite poor by spring, 
when they feed upon the bark of roots, and the 
roots of various aquatic plants, some of which 
are at that season white, tender, and juicy. 
During winter, when the ice is thick and strong, 
the trappers hunt the beaver in the following 
manner: a hole is cut in the ice as near as pos- 
sible to the aperture leading to the dwelling of 
the animal, the situation of which is first ascer- 
tained; a green stick is placed firmly in front of 
it, and a smaller stick on each side, about a foot 
from the stick of green wood; the bottom ‘is 
then patted or beaten smooth and even, anda 
strong stake is set into the ground to hold the 
chain of the trap, which is placed within a few 
inches of the stick of green wood, well baited, 
andthe beaver, attracted either by the fresh 
bark or the bait, is almost always caught. 
Although when captured in this manner, the 
animal struggles, diving and swimming about in 
its efforts to escape, it never cuts off a foot in or- 
der to obtain its liberty; probably because it is 
drowned before it has had time to think of this 
method of saving itself from the hunter. When 
trapping under other circumstances, the trap is 
placed within five or six inches of the shore, and 
about the same distance below the surface of the 
water, secured and baited as usual. If caught, 
