Mammal Study 



223 



13. Describe the muskrat's burrow in the bank in the following 

 particulars: Is the entrance above or below water? Where and how is 

 the nest made ? Is it ventilated ? Does it have a back door leading out 

 upon the land? 



14. What are the muskrat's enemies? How does it escape them.? 

 How does it fight? Is it a courageous animal? How does the muskrat 

 give warning to its fellows when it perceives danger? At what time of 

 year is it comparatively safe? At what time is it exposed to greatest 

 danger? 



15. Why is this animal called muskrat? Compare the habits of 

 muskrats with those of beaver and write an English theme upon the 

 similarity of the two. 



16. At what time of year do you find the young muskrats? How 

 many in a litter ? 



17. Read Farmers' Bulletin No. 396 of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 

 and write an English theme on the destructive habits of muskrats and the 

 economic uses of these animals. 



Supplementary reading — Familiar Wild Animals, Lottridge; Little 

 Beasts of Field and Wood, Cram; Squirrels and other Fur-bearers, Bur- 

 roughs; "The Builders" in Ways of Wood Folk, Long. 



The white-footed, or deer, mouse. 

 Drawn by Anna Stryke. 



