1054 Observations on the Muskrat. [ November, 
about half its length in the water. Upon the water inside the bar- 
rel is placed grass and weeds, and on this foundation the bait, gener- 
ally a few pieces of parsnip, is put. In a few days the animals will 
become familiar with this new object, and thereafter the barrel 
may be visited regularly. After a warm night the trapper is rea- 
sonably sure of finding some game in his barrel. Sometimes he 
will find but one or two rats, but more frequently he will catch 
from three to six, and on one occasion I have known ten rats to 
be taken in one barrel ina single night. At mating time if a 
female be caught several males will be taken prisoners in the same 
barrel in their efforts to become her company. When a rat gets 
into the barrel it is impossible, owing to the depth of the water, 
for it to stand upon its hinder limbs to cut a hole in the staves 
above water line, and at the same time impossible for it to get out 
at the top of the barrel. When several are taken the same night 
a fight generally ensues, resulting in the death of all of the cap- 
tives either by the sharp teeth of their companions or by drown- 
ing. I have known instances where several of these rats had been 
captured and killed, but the trapper did not visit his traps for 
some time; upon his arrival, however, he found but a few heads 
and bones to tell of the tragedy that had been enacted and of the 
feast which the other muskrats had when the water receded 
enough for them to enter and leave the barrel. This habit is not 
uncommon when more acceptable food is scarce. Last spring a 
_ muskrat was caught in a steel trap; when the trapper went to his 
trap next morning he found another rat eating the dead one; 
upon examination it was found the entire right shoulder had been 
eaten off. Spears are rarely used, but they are sometimes brought 
into service when the streams are ice bound to kill the inhabitants 
of a winter house. Many muskrats are shot in early spring when 
the ice breaks up. 
Of the enemies of the muskrat man ranks first, and next to 
him the dog. Hawks and owls of the larger species, foxes and 
minks are all very destructive to this animal. The mink is per- 
haps it greatest natural enemy, but fortunately for it minks are 
rare. The remains of muskrats have, on several occasions, been 
found in the stomachs of large catfish, but the flavor of the food 
had. been so thoroughly imparted to the meat of the fish that it 
as unfit to eat. The muskrat is at times very ferocious. When 
by dogs or man it frequently shows fight, and if pressed 
me to dor much execution with its sharp teeth. 
