1885. ] Observations on the Muskrat. 1049 
industrious animal ; by the time half this height was reached he 
gave up the work. Occasionally instead of laying a part of the 
foundation out of the water, the house is begun entirely within 
the water. At times I have known a hollow stump, which had a 
lower opening beneath the water, to be used. The stump being 
covered over and some grass and other material placed around 
the base, it required close observation to recognize the framework 
of the structure. I have known these animals to take possession 
of a barrel which stood on its end in the water, and after covering 
it over so as to almost hide it, to give up the work and erect a 
dwelling without the substantial assistance such an article would 
afford. 
I find the muskrat lives, the greater part of the year, in its 
sinuous galleries in the banks of our streams. Each autumn new 
houses are built or old ones repaired, but these are only occupied 
when the surrounding streams are locked in a sheet of ice. At 
such times it is by no means uncommon to find several represen- 
tatives of the species living in harmony within one of these win- 
ter homes. I am convinced that in this vicinity one brood of 
muskrats is regularly brought forth each year. There are, in all 
probability, occasional exceptions to this rule, when perhaps two 
and even three broods are born. Mating takes place late in Feb- 
ruary or early in March, depending upon the condition of the 
weather, and continues about three weeks. This year these animals 
were first noted as mating on March roth. At this season the 
female utters a hoarse squeal by which the males are attracted. 
The period of gestation is about six weeks. In April or early May 
the young are brought forth; from four to six helpless and hair- 
less little creatures may then be found by the persevering investi- 
gator far within the subterranean home within a nest of grass and 
other soft vegetable growth. The young remain in the nest until 
they are about half grown, unless their home be flooded, when 
they often perish, but in some instances are rescued by the 
mother. Mr. E. R. Quick relates one instance when, during a 
flood July 3d, 1873, he saw a female muskrat swimming along in 
the muddy water with five young, about the size of a full-grown 
house rat, holding on to tufts of the mother’s hair with. their 
mouths, while she made her way slowly and cautiously along the 
Shore ; carefully she avoided all obstructions and swift water, . 
seeking a shelter for her precious tow. Some boyish enemy, per- 
