Connecticut western news., 1873-02-14
Instinct of the Beaver.

A letter from Ottawa, Canada, rela- ting to the lumber trade of Canada, in terlines the following sketch:
 started with a trap and an axe for q beaver dam about three miles from the depot. It was in early winter, and only about six inches of snow was on the ground. By following blaze made on the previous day, l soon got in close vii cinity to the dam. When got within hundred yards of it, the snow began to look as if it had been firmly trodden down and was covered with a coating of ice. Stumps of small bushes protruded ln every direction, and were cut off close to the ground as neatly as though done with q knife. Previous to the freezing over of the pond the beavers cut down every small bush near by and drag it to the pond, where they fasten them on the bottom to serve as provision during the winter. All birch trees, too, upon the edge of the pond, are cut down so as to fall into the water. They also serve as provision.
 The instinct of the beaver in selecting and cutting down these trees is wonder full; it is rarely tree is seen which fell away from the pond, instead of into it. As they come out of the water upon the snow, the water dripping from their bodies as they crawl along, and their heavy tails, shaped like trowels, drag ging after them, beats the snow down compactly ard covers it with coating of ice. AS I stood upon the banks of the pond near the dam, I could see the stumps of numerous trees near by which had recently been cut down, and close to me were two trees still standing upon which the beavers had been at work the previous night. One of the trees was about eighteen inches in diameter and was cut about half through, the cat en- circling the tree; the other was just commenced. The cut has gnawed appearance, though the piece taken out is smooth and in size is as large as a pea. A track from the tree to the pond showed where the beaver came out. The place was covered with thin coat ing of ice, though the ice on the rest of the pond was a, foot thick.
 As late in the winter as they are able to do so, the beavers keep open hole in the ice by occasionally coming out and returning at the same place, always taking good care not to be gone long enough upon the shore to get fastened out Even as I was watching the open ing, I saw Q trail of bubbles moving along under the ice, and before I di- vined the meaning, the thin ice broke upwards, and the head of large beaver popped out. It was perfect surprise party for us both, and for a few seconds we stared at each other with open mouths, and then, without even stop ping to say good-by," the beaver dis appeared. Moving along the dam l came to their house, which rose in the form of mound about two feet above the level of the dam. The snow was completely gone from the top of this and for quite a distance around it, being melted away by the breath of the beav- CTS. Reaching the weakest part of the dam, I cut channel through it about eighteen inches deep. Then driving a heavy stake into the bottom of the pond, I fastened the chain of the tra1 to itand set the trap in the passage. On visiting the trap the next day, found it upon the dam, sprung, and in 1t beavers leg. The beaver that had been caught in it had succeeded in getting out of the water and had then gnawed off his leg. This is always done by beaver when he can get out of the water, upon the shore. provided against similar oc- currence by fastening large stone to the bottom of the trap, and set itagain, and the next day I found in it a full grown beaver. I obtained assistance from the men working near by, and car ried it to the shanty. We put him upon the scales and he weighed eighty-six pounds. At night we had him cooked in pie and ate it. The flavor of the meat was not unlike beef, though of Q much stronger flavor, and it had pecu- liar taste."