1885.] Observations on the Muskrat, 1053 
chickens, fish, and even in one instance a turtle, have been noted 
as forming a part of their food. The farmers of the lowlands 
ascribe to the muskrat a love for young ducks, but I think the 
greater part of their loss in this particular is referable to turtles, 
The muskrat is largely nocturnal in its habits. On cloudy 
days and occasionally late in the afternoon one may be seen, 
along some quiet stretch of water, seeking food or looking for its 
mate. It is not much at ease on land, although when pursued it 
moves over the ground at an ambling gait with some degree of 
rapidity. It is an expert at swimming and diving. Before diving 
it appears to inflate its lungs with air,and when it disappears 
remains beneath the water for some time, the course it takes being 
frequently traceable by rising bubbles of air, When surprised it 
- plunges into the water suddenly without the necessary supply of 
air, and is forced to come to the surface in a very short time, 
When frightened it generally seeks its hole, but such is not 
always the case. In open water it dives to a considerable depth, 
and I have noticed it passing through shallow water apparently 
running upon the bottom. Under the ice it may be noticed, at 
times, swimming quite close to the surface of the water. It 
appears disiriclined to dive in muddy water. Upon several occa- 
sions, when our streams have been swollen, I have attempted 
to make one dive by stoning it, but generally without success ; 
sometimes it would dive, but would almost immediately reap- 
pear. When our water-courses are covered with ice the muskrat 
has regular places of egress and ingress, such places being where, 
owing to swift water, ice had not formed, or where the ice along 
the banks of a stream had become broken. 
Several methods are employed to capture or to kill muskrats. 
Many of them are caught by means of steel traps. They are 
very unsuspicious and regularly become the victims of their self- 
assurance. A dead fall is frequently used with some effect. It is 
generally placed over a well-worn runway leading to a favorite 
feeding ground. Many muskrats are killed by means of poisoned 
apples or turnips which are placed in the neighborhood of their 
burrows. The latter plan is often tried by the farmers of our up- 
lands to kill these animals when they become too numerous in 
the ditches and smaller streams. A method used with great suc- 
cess by a local water-power company, in winter, is as follows: A 
barrel with both ends out is placed upright near the bank with 
