New-York tribune., 1903-07-05

underneath the water from the winter home to the
middle OF the stream, which frequent distinctly
outlines.
Tie beavers move into their winter quarters
some time in November. Judge Edinger said, and
remain there until late in March early in April,
according to the state OF the weather. The winter
home Of the beavers is. in the summer time one
Of the most picturesque spots in the neighborhood.
On the other hand, the summer home of the bea-
vers is as uainvting possible and is a place
in which the scientist would expect TO find rare
specimens of blue and green flies and mosquitoes
Of extraordinary size and ferocity.
The beavers in making their selection do not
fine themselves TO any particular kind species
of tree. but of choice. Judge Edinger remarked.
seem to prefer the swamp BEECH OF ironwood, al
though they frequently make Of the white ash,
the water oak and other trees. Some of the wood
cut by the beaver shows the prints Of quite large
teeth. which are thought TO be the marks made by
the father Of the colony Other stems and limbs
reveal the markings of smaller teeth. some Of
which, found this spring show the indentations of
teeth small that is believed that the beavers
since they arrived, four years ago. have had
least one increase in the family. and that the
colony is growing larger
From old stocks found years ago, on the
discovery Of the dam, by neighboring farmers and
hunters it is known that the beavers have been
in the locality four years, if not longer.
In Telling the animals work in a circle,
going around and around the stem. but making
a slightly deeper indentation in the side toward
the stream. that the trees fall into the water
after the cutting has been made such a depth
that at the centre only the thickness of ordinary
lead pencil remains to sustain the tree before it
falls Their plaster work is model of strength
and, although rather roughly finished, is firm
human hands could make it,
Experienced buiicers who have seen the plaster
ing say that the dam will stand the test for
strength well RS, better than. anything made
by men, except that composed OF modern concrete.
The remnants Of the first beaver dam built in the
neighborhood confirm in great measure the accu-
racy OF this statement.
The Snydervile beavers are very shy of company.
and equally secretive in their habits. They are
rarely seen, and never in the middle of the day.
Samuel Fabel who lives about A mile from the
dam, one of them just before sunrise some
time ago. He describes the animal being "a
little old gray bearded fellow. but wonderfully
agile in getting into the water and shutting the
door behind him without making any noise about
it" A of Edward Berger saw two old beavers
early in the spring just about at daylight They
were playing together he thought, but although
he was quiet in his approach to the dam. they
heard him and quickly disappeared
Soon after the presence Of the beavers had been
positively identified. Judge Edinger had some
rather peculiar experiences. One day man came
into his Office in stroudsburg. and the following
conversation. as related by the judge. ensued:
Judge I want to ask q particular favor of you
We'll. what is il? o.
u would like to go to your farm and shoot or
What do you want to 90 with it?"
why, man. don't you know the skin is worth
about s4o?"
Then Judge Edinger began TO boil He replied:
II wouldn't have you shoot one of those beavers
for 500 If I catch you there with gun or trap
viii have you arrested and prosecute you as far
as I can under any law that I can find TO meet
the case"
His visitor didn't visiby mind the threatened con-
sequences. He said.
But the beavers will destroy all your timber"
That makes no difference TO you" Judge Edn-
ser replied The timber is mine not yours; and
remember. I will do precisely what 1 have said 1
would
This ended the conversation, and the visitor re-
gretfully went away
other men wanted TO trap or shoot the beavers
bllt when they found that Judge Edinger was de-
teruined to protect them in far as he could
they accepted the situation and agreed TO assist
him in doing so But TO make assurance douby
sure and 20 take chances with pot hunters or sly
trappers Judge Edinger had law passed al the
last session Of the Pennsylvania Legislature for the
ryo+a,ti-7 Of The beavers. The law provides a fine
OF $50 or Imprisonment for one hundred days Tor
each beaver killed with gun or caught with
tran or for having of the animals in posses
sion dead or alive
srtb,,r Erwin Brown. of the Philadelphia Zoo
,ogfcsI Gardens helped in getting the act
nassed by the legislature He was in frequent cor
resDordence with Judge Ednger during the session
Of he legislature and took great interest IN the
nrotection CT the beavers which are SAID 10 De
rare even in remote parts OF the CHleu 0'1'eS anu
Canada. - - ,,
ILL., Aouidistant from New-YorE and PhiladeI-
uha visitors from those cities frzqlentiy go 10 "eS
il and from distances Of ns, rem '6n 6a 70 in the sum
- iITrSroFs Cf souvenirs Rave been carried
a~ay ~ viso.s put re ~ Dam in when the patient
l,ttIe animals are now making their summer nons