The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24

sticks. stones and the green branches of
trees. The beavers do not use their tails for
trowels, some would have us believe.
The mud is carried between the chin and
paws. They cannot make a stick lie at the
bottom of a pond unless they load 1t with
stones and mud, and then it often gets
away from them, and comes to the surface
again. They cannot make trees fall in any
direction they choose. but, as most of the
trees along the bank lean toward the
stream. they will naturally fall into the
water when gnawed off.
Neither do the beavers live in one place
always. When the white birch, willows and
other trees on which they feed begin to get
scarce. the colony, after tearing hole In
the dam, will disband. This always happens
serted works will see the bottom of the now
empty pond covered with short peeled sticks,
and the round hole in each house, near the
bottom Of the stream, that was used for
door. Go along up stream and you will see
several holes in the bank In which the bea-
yer hides when his village is attacked and
the houses destroyed. The entrance to this
hole is always under water, If the dam is
intact; but If you take the pains to follow
1T up you will find that it terminates be-
meath some large tree, near the surface Of
the ground. Here in summer the young
beavers are born, and not in the houses,
some writers tell US.
migrate, generally up stream to some con-
venient spot, and new dam and houses
are rapidly constructed. The trees along
the bank are felled and huge piles Of wood
are heaped up before the doors Of the houses
always under water. The houses are built
from the bottom and rise above the water
When they are plastered outside with mud,
they are about the size and shape OF hay
COCK. have seen as many as thirty houses
in one pond.
when winter comes. the pond freezes
solid. The beaver is then safe from all enc
mics save man, and a man must be a cum
ming hunter to get the furry and chubby
little quadruped. The chamber of the house
is above water and lined with moss and
leaves. The door comes out under water,
close to the brush pile. The houses are not
THE beaver lives in winter upon his store
fall and does not come out until spring. on
the upper side of the dam he has large
quantities Of material stored, to use in re-
pairs, should any damage be done to his
dam or house. 1t is said that the beaver
sleeps In his chamber with his tail hanging
into the water. If anything happens to the
DAM he knows 1t at once, for his tail tele
graphs him. so to speak, when the water
begins to fall.
1.-The modern way of trapping beaver Is
to cut a hole in the ice between the wood
pile and the house. A set steel trap is then
lowered by means OF split stick until IL
sinks into the mud and is thus concealed.
The chain Of the trap is fastened to a dry
stake. driven solidly into the pond. The
beaver discovers the stake and in trying to
gnaw a dry stick, he soon browns.
II have known beaver to occupy ponds
where lumbermen have built dams in the
woods. but they generally prefer to do their
own work. A few years ago some beavers
were discovered In the pond of a mill on
Hardwood creek, near Parkhurst, Me.
Some one hoisted the gate, but no beavers
came out Next morning, however, the fume
was found to be choked effectually with
stumps. logs, stones and mud and the wa
ter thus stopped. AS there were only two
beavers there. the work they did in one
short night was remarkable-a good DAYS
work for two able bodied men,"