_Specimens examined_ (2).--Sec. 22, R. 1 E, T. 20 N, 1; 32 mi. SE
Buffalo, 1.
According to local residents, the beaver is common along many of the
water courses in the county. One of our two specimens came from a
tributary of the Little Missouri River north of Camp Crook and the other
was taken from a tributary of the Moreau River in the southeastern part
of the county. Robert Kriege of Buffalo reported to us that beaver are
not restricted to wooded areas, but frequently inhabit streams and more
or less permanent impoundments bordered by grassland. In such places
they are said to construct bank dens and eat principally sage and forbs.
Visher (1914:89) reported this species along the Little Missouri River,
Boxelder Creek, the forks of Grand River, Bull Creek, and "Devil's
Gulch" in the North Cave Hills, and figured (pl. 6) a dam on Rabbit
Creek. We have observed evidence of beaver activity along the Little
Missouri River southwest of Ladner and along aspen-wooded stream banks
in the Short Pine Hills, where in the spring of 1963 abundant sign was
found.
~Reithrodontomys megalotis dychei~ J. A. Allen, 1895