LITTLE BEASTS OF FIELD AND WOOD 



often be seen wriggling vigorously from side to 

 side, like that of a tadpole, as the animal swims 

 past, and undoubtedly serves to increase the 

 speed. 



In swimming on the surface, muskrats often 

 hold the head and shoulders well out of water, 

 and the rest of the body deeply submerged, 

 except for the last half of the tail, which is held 

 up behind several inches out of water and curved 

 over in the form of a hook ; in turning, it is 

 brought around strongly to one side like a 

 rudder. They are perfectly capable of entering 

 the water silently and quickly at the same time, 

 and frequently do, though quite as often they go 

 in with a sudden plunge and needless amount of 

 noise which I am inclined to think is intended 

 to warn the others. 



Although they are unquestionably fond of 

 meat, I cannot recall having seen one attempt 

 to catch any living animal larger than a clam, 

 except on one occasion, and that attempt proved 



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