NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 141 



Being much persecuted by the gamekeepers, it is now extinct in 

 many districts, but, like other species of so called "vermin," it 

 finds a safe retreat in the deer-forests, in some of which it is still 

 very abundant. 



OTTER. 



LUTRA VULGARIS (Erxleben). 



Found on the inland lochs and rivers, but now much reduced 

 in numbers by the gamekeepers. In the years 1831-4 rewards 

 were paid for no less than 263 head, killed on the Sutherland 

 estates. On streams Otters have favourite stations, where they 

 always halt; these are generally on some little islet or promon- 

 tory, and are easily recognised by the short bright green grass 

 which soon covers them, caused by the dung of the animal. On 

 the sea-coast Otters are still very plentiful, especially on the north 

 side of Stoir, and at Oederney Island. At the latter place no less 

 than twelve were killed by one man in the winter of 1868-9, one 

 of which had a large white mark on its throat. Mr Selby 

 observes that the Otters found on the coast are said to be smaller 

 in size and Hghter in colour than those which frequent fresh water, 

 but this must surely be an error, as the very reverse has been 

 observed both in Shetland and Ireland (Bel], British Quadrupeds, 

 2d ed., pp. 158-9). 



POLECAT OR FOUMART. 



MUSTELLA PUTORIUS, Linnaeus. 



Mr Selby notices the Polecat as being " common upon the 

 banks of the rivers, margins of lakes, etc.;" it is still not un- 

 frequent throughout the county, in spite of constant persecution, 

 and is especially plentiful on the west coast at Stoir. 



STOAT OR ERMINE. 



MU STELA ERMINE A, Linnaeus. 

 Very plentiful, and ascends the hills to a considerable elevation. 



COMMON WEASEL. 



MUSTELA VULGARIS, Linnaeus. 

 As is usually the case throughout Scotland, this species is not 



