1892
July 7
No 2
Concord, Massachusetts.
[margin]Young
Muskrats[/margin]
Mass.
Concord.- water. Seeing this I sat still and watched
them for nearly half-an-hour. They were evidently
drowsy and somewhat annoyed by the glaring light
(it was near noon of a sunny day) which came in through
the open doors for they blinked continuously and often
closed their eyes for several minutes at a time. Every now
and then one would yawn and quickly go to sleep either sitting in the usual
crouching position or on his side, curled up like a cat;
but his slumbers were sure to be soon interrupted by one
of the others who would creep up to him and nibble
the end of his tail playfully when the sleeper would of
course awake and retaliate by an equally good natured
nip or perhaps would seize his tormentor between both fore paws
when the two would roll over and over in great glee
waving their long tails about. These gambols were less
animated and more clumsy than those of kittens and
resembled most those of young Bears. A favorite occupation
seemed to be biting at real or imaginary fleas, the
Musk rat sometimes operating on his own person but
usually on that of one of his companions. Once two went
to work most vigorously on a third which, sitting
directly between them, seemed to enjoy their attentions
exceedingly. At length all three [delete]went to sleep[/delete] huddled
close together on the floor, heads and bodies sandwiched
together, presenting the appearance of a great mound
of fur. There was some crowding & nipping at first but
soon all were sound asleep. I moved a little and made
a slight noise when all sprang up and scattered in great
alarm, but after getting a good look at me became
quickly reassured and prepared for another nap to
which I left them. These four (or five) Muskrats were