The Beaver　海狸

This industrious animal is generally found in Canada and the northern portions of the United States,where it makes its home on the banks of the rivers and lakes.Here they assemble in hundreds to assist each other in the construction of their dams,and in the building of their houses,which are put together with a considerable amount of engineering skill.The materials used in building the dams are wood,stones,and mud,which they collect themselves for that purpose,and after finishing the dam,or winter storehouse,they collect their stores for the winter's use,and then make a connection with their houses in the banks.Their skins are valuable in making fine hats,and their flesh is much relished by the hunters.The beaver is an interesting animal in many respects,and the expression“busy as a beaver”is borne out by its habits.

我们可以在加拿大和美国北部看到这种勤劳的动物，它们在河流和湖泊的堤岸上安营扎寨。筑堤建房时，它们会召集上百号的伙伴互相帮忙，它们修筑的堤坝和建造的房子技术含量相当高。建造堤坝的材料有木头、石块和泥浆，都是它们为筑堤建房而亲自搜集的。堤坝是它们的冬储仓库，完工之后，它们就开始为过冬做储备，然后，用隧道把建在岸上的房子连起来。海狸皮是制作精致帽子的珍贵材料，海狸肉也让捕猎者们津津乐道。在很多方面，海狸是一种有趣的动物，人们常说“像海狸一样忙”，就是因为海狸总是忙个不停。