FIBER ZIBETHICUS. 
1 8 1 
tending from the muddy banks of the stream, winding among the 
rank weeds and grasses, passing through the old worm fence, and 
leading to the various beds of vegetables. Many of the turnips had 
disappeared on the previous night — the duck-like tracks of the Musk- 
Rat were seen on the beds in every direction. The paths were 
strewn with turnip leaves, which either had dropped, or were bitten 
off, to render the transportation more convenient. Their paths after 
entering the meadow diverged to several burrows, all of which gave 
evidence that their tenants had been on a foraging expedition on the 
previous night. The most convenient burrow was opened, and we 
discovered in the nest so many different articles of food, that we 
were for some time under an impression, that like the chipping squir- 
rel, chickaree, &c., this species laid up in autumn a store of food for 
winter use. There were carrots, and parsnips, which appeared to 
have been cut in halves, the lower part of the root having been left 
in the ground ; but what struck us as most singular, was that ears of 
corn (maize) not yet quite ripe, had been dragged into the burrow, 
with a considerable portion of the stock attached.” * 
As has already been remarked, the Muskrat is exceedingly fond of 
our common fresh-water mussels, and it is usual to find lame num- 
bers of their empty but unbroken shells strewn along the shore or 
in shallow water covering- the mud or sand bottoms where it abounds. 
Instead of devouring the mussels where he finds them, the Musk- 
rat olten carries them to particular spots, where large accumulations 
of their shells may be found. 
In the course of their remarks upon the habits of this species, 
Audubon and Bachman relate an experience that is as interesting and 
remarkable as it seems to be unique : “ It is a well-known fact that many 
species of quadrupeds and birds, are endowed by Nature with the 
faculty of foreseeing or foreknowing, the changes of the seasons, and 
have premonitions of the coming storm. . . . After an unusual 
drought, succeeded by a warm Indian-summer, as we were one day 
* Quadrupeds of North America, Vol. I, 1846, pp. 118-119. 
