Voyaging along the margin of a lake, we may see on the shores numbers of
little flattened oval nests composed of reeds and sedges, while numerous
holes in the bank, with quantities of shells, chiefly of the fresh-water
mussel, scattered round, show the entrance to the habitations of the
musquash, or ondatra, called also the musk-rat. As evening approaches,
the creatures may be seen in fine balmy weather gambolling on the
surface, swimming rapidly here and there, or now and then diving below,
apparently fearless of the passing canoe. The little sedge-built hut of
the water-rat is constructed much in the same way as the beaver's larger
mansion. The creature itself looks somewhat like the beaver, and some
of its habits are also similar. It is rather more than two feet in
total length, of which measurement about ten inches is occupied by the
tail. The upper part of the body is of a dark brown colour, tinged in
parts with a reddish hue, while the lower part is ashy grey. Its tail
is flattened, but vertical. Like the beaver, it is furnished with an
undercoat of soft downy fur. Its safety has been provided for by its
peculiar colour, which is so like that of the muddy bank on which it
dwells, that a keen eye can alone detect it. Its hinder feet are
webbed, the imprint on the soft mud being very similar to that of a
duck. With the exception of the flesh of the water-mussel, its food is
vegetable. It is a great depredator in gardens, which it has been known
to plunder of carrots, turnips, and maize--the stalks of which it cuts
close down to the ground.
It is sought-for on account of its fur, which is very valuable. The
traps are set close to a tree, and when one of the creatures is caught,
its companions will instantly attack it and tear it to pieces.
Generally, however, in its struggles to get free, it carries the trap
under the surface, and is thus drowned.
Audubon, the naturalist, gives us an interesting description of
them:--"They are very lively, playful animals, when in their proper
element--the water--and on a calm night, in a sequestered pool, may
often be seen crossing and recrossing in every direction, leaving long
ripples in the water behind them, while others stand for a few moments
on tufts of grass, stones, or logs, and then plunge over, one after the
other, into the water. At the same time others are feeding on the
grassy bank, dragging off the roots of various kinds of plants, or
digging underneath the edge. These animals seem to form a little
community of social playful creatures, who only require to be unmolested
in order to be happy."
It has been proposed to acclimatise these little rodents in England,
under the idea that thus a valuable addition to the bank fauna of
sluggish English streams would be obtained.