«V7<4|.t» (hi) 
CONCORD. 
Resume of Field Observations. 
1894 
October 11 
to November 31 
Muskrats 
Mammals. Muskrats have been exceptionally 
numerous in the river this autumn and thus far they have 
not been molested to any extent by the shooters, while I 
do not think that any traps have been set for them. The 
unusual number and size of their houses attracts general 
attention and comment among the farmers and others who 
have seen them. These houses line the river banks all 
the way from Fairhaven Bay to Beil’s Hill. There are five 
on one group and three in another on the Beaver Dam Rapid. 
Two of them are at least five feet high and each would make 
nearly or quite a full load for a tip cart. Some of the 
older farmers and gunners tell me that they have not seen 
so many or so large houses, on this river, for fifteen 
years and this is also my own impression. 
Of all the creatures which inhabit the river at 
this season, the Muskrats are by far the most interesting. 
I have seen a great deal of them this autumn for I have 
almost invariably started up river at about the time when 
they were beginning their nightly wanderings. One evening 
I counted eighteen between Ball’s Hill and the Minute Man 
and I frequently saw twelve or fourteen. As far as I can 
make out, they all spend the day in holes in the banks and 
visit their houses and feeding grounds only after twilight 
has begun falling. Many of them have to cross the river 
for this purpose and I have noticed that each individual 
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