SWIMMERS CONCLUDED 



same side as before. He did this several times, 

 but witliout success, though one would hardly sup- 

 pose that he would have much difficulty in finding 

 the opening if there really was any. Before diving 

 he always stopped short and floated for an in- 

 stant, perhaps to get his lungs well filled with 

 air, and then doubling his head beneath him 

 went down with a plunge. After the third dive 

 he swam almost to my feet and, after looking at 

 me steadily for a few seconds, turned abruptly 

 and swam back to his island, first to a muskrat 

 house that stood there partly hidden in a clump 

 of alders, and then back to the spot where I first 

 saw him. Here he landed and, facing about, 

 stood looking in my direction as if waiting for my 

 departure : so I took the hint and crossed over. 



When their homes are flooded by heavy rains, 

 the muskrats may sometimes be seen abroad in 

 great numbers, and at such times they show con- 

 siderable cleverness in concealing themselves even 

 in the most unpromising situations. One of their 



191 



