RESULTS OF BEAVERS’ WORK 169 
Standing erect as on the previous day he gazed 
intently at the home of his old friends. They had 
not yet made their appearance, but from their lodge 
came the sound of muffled voices, for they were 
holding an animated conversation in beaver lan- 
guage, which sounds like a strange subdued mixture 
of children’s voices and very young pigs squealing, 
varied now and then by a puppy’s cry. Whether 
or not our beaver understood the drift of their dis- 
cussion would be difficult to say, but certain it is 
that he seemed to be very much interested by it 
all. While he stood there almost as motionless as a 
statue, I made several exposures, bringing the camera 
nearer and nearer each time; when within almost 
five feet he turned round to examine the strange 
one-eyed monster that was approaching so quietly. 
It evidently puzzled him without frightening him. 
After a few moments his curiosity got the upper 
hand and he came straight for it, slowly of course, 
and hesitating slightly at each step. As he came 
nearer I retreated that I might the better see what 
he would do. To begin with each leg of the tripod 
was scrutinised most carefully ; these he evidently 
concluded were harmless, so resting his hands on 
one of the legs he reached up and took a good look 
at the camera itself. His nose must have discovered 
some new odour, for he sniffed first on one side 
then on the other for many minutes ; suddenly his 
attention was attracted by the rubber ball belong- 
ing to the shutter. This was moving at the end 
