1891
June
Description of Eel Pond Marshes (No 4)
North Truro, Mass.
  The Rails and Gallinules, however, supported on
their broad feet run with ease on this yielding
surface and the dense growth of flags shields
them from observation and supplies innumerable
congenial nesting places. Their well trodden paths
or run ways, used also and perhaps in the first
instance formed by the musk rats, form a
perfect network over the entire marshes
connecting pool with pool and opening with 
opening. The openings are usually small and
either caused by the presence of a musk rat
house or by the accumulation through natural
causes of masses of prostrate flags or drift
which prevent the growth of the fresh stalks.
The pools are also small and singularly few
in number but there are occasional creeks from
two or three to twenty yards across which
connect with the pond and wind and double
about through the marsh affording convenient
water ways usually deep enough to allow the
passage of a light boat.
  The mammals known to inhabit these marshes
are Must-rates which are very numerous and 
Otters of which two or three are trapped every
autumn and of which we saw recent signs.
The latter animals are said to have appeared
for the first time only five or six years ago
and are believed to be increasing rapidly. They
feed chiefly on eel which are numerous in
the pond and grow to a large size. There
are no Minks.