168 ROMANCE OF THE BEAVER 
his own accord, death would have been his lot had 
not the keeper come to the rescue and given him a 
cage where he might live until a better place could 
be provided. It was two or three months before 
he was turned into the enclosure in which I found 
him. This bordered on his old home and was 
separated only by an iron fence. Being a solitary 
bachelor he has not as yet set up housekeeping ; 
perhaps he thinks it scarcely worth while building 
a house until he has a mate. As it is he has made 
a burrow in the bank with the entrance at the level 
of the water. In this he spends his days, seldom 
coming out at all before sunset, frequently much 
later. When out he spends much of his time 
watching his old companions, while they in turn 
seem to take but little notice of him. So much for 
the reason of his being alone. 
On the occasion of my second visit to this soli- 
tary beaver I brought my camera, with the fond 
hope of being able to secure a few photographs, 
even though the light might not be suitable for 
such work. It was nearly five o'clock before he 
made his appearance, and then, as on the day pre- 
vious, after emerging from his burrow, he lay 
quietly on the water taking in the situation before 
daring to come ashore. I had placed the camera 
so that if he went to his usual corner it would not 
be necessary to move it. After satisfying himself 
that all was well he landed and walking past the 
camera took up his position at the fence corner. 
