1050 | Observations on the Muskrat. [ November, 
ceiving the homeless family, threw a stone which struck the 
mother and scattered the young. The latter apparently knew 
nothing of diving and but little of swimming; with difficulty 
they gained the shore, and while seeking the protection of some 
reeds a part of them were caught. I have never found the young 
caring for themselves until after the beginning of July. In Sep- 
tember, a few years since, a litter of young was taken from a nest 
in the canal bank. They were not over one-third grown. This 
record I have always considered as referring to a second or per- 
haps a third brood, and is my only note that would indicate a 
plurality of broods. 
During the rutting seasorfthe grunts of the males answer the 
squealing of the females, the noise of scuffles between the males, 
the continuous splashing made by the animals in the water fill 
the air, in the vicinity of one of their favorite ponds, with sounds 
which would surprise one who was not familiar with the neigh- 
borhood of a muskrat’s home, on a warm night in early spring. 
At this time of the year they are seen during daylight more than 
at any other, sometimes even deigning to show their love-making 
to inquiring eyes. 
Muskrats are naturally herbivorous. They feed upon land and 
water plants alike, in some instances using roots, stems and fruit. 
‘They are noted enemies of the “bottom” farmer. In his fields 
it is that corn grows most plentifully, and upon this cereal musk- 
rats love to feed. They eat corn at any time after it is planted, 
| taking the seed from the ground or the young plant from the fur- 
row. The greatest damage is done after the ear is well formed. 
“ Roasting ears ” appear to be a favorite article of food with them. 
From this time until the corn is gathered, nightly visits are made 
to the nighboring cornfield, where the stalks are cut down and 
‘sometimes carried to their homes, but more frequently the juicy 
ear is the only part taken. At times streams near cornfields seem 
‘covered with floating stalks, the result of the muskrat’s nocturnal 
forays. As the corn becomes hard it is frequently a difficult 
question for them to tell how they will get the grains off the cob 
as easily as formerly. They evidently master the question in 
some instances, for I have known them to deposit the flinty ears 
in a stream for two or three days until the grains become soft, when 
ey could be readily removed. It seems strange that an animal 
ing teeth al the cutting power those of the muskrat possess, _ 
