r COMMON BEAVER# 31 
stationed to take it ; these put it into the gutter, 
and rammed it down with blows of their tails. 
The noise of the water soon ceased* and the 
breach was completely repaired. One of the bea- 
vers then struck two blows with his tail ; and in- 
stantly they all took to the water without any noise,, 
and disappeared.' * 
M. du Pratz and his companions afterwards 
retired to their hut to rest* and did not again dis- 
turb these industrious animals till the next day. 
In the morning* however* they went together to the 
dam* to see its construction ; for which purpose 
it was necessary that they should cut part of it 
down. The depression of the water in consequence 
of this* together with the noise they made, roused 
the beavers again. The animals seemed much 
disturbed by these exertions ; and one of them in 
particular* was observed several times to come 
pretty near the labourers* as if to examine what pass- 
ed. As M. du Pratz apprehended that they might 
run into the woods, if farther disturbed* he advised 
his companions again to conceal themselves. 
One of the beavers then ventured” continues 
our observer* to go upon the breach* after having 
several times approached and returned like a spy. 
He surveyed the place; and then struck four 
blows* as he did the preceding evening, with his 
tail. One of those that were going to work* 
piassed close by me ; and as I wanted a specimen 
to examine* I shot him. The noise of the gun made 
them scamper off with greater speed than a hundred 
blows of the tail of their overseer could have done.’' 
By firing at them several times afterwards* they 
were compelled to run with precipitation into the 
woods. M. du Pratz then examined their habi- 
tations. 
Under one of the houses he found fifteen pieces 
©f wood ; with the bark in part gnawed off* appa* 
