826 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



On September 27, 1905, George Crawford, the Mattawa 

 guide, came to my camp at a place 40 miles north-east of Mat- 

 tawa, and told of 4 Otter that he had watched the day before 

 on one of the small lakes near by. They were 2 old ones and 

 2 young ones. He was quite sure that 2 were fully grown. 

 Again, in October, 1904, Archie Miller saw 2 adults and 5 

 young together at Blue Lake, Quebec. This looks as though 

 the father did sometimes accompany the family. 



Nelson, in his "Natural History of Alaska,"' also says: 

 "Toward the end of the winter they frequently make a burrow 

 in a large snow-drift, and sometimes a party of 5 or 6 will be 

 found occupying the place. Such parties usually consist of 

 the 2 old ones and the last season's young." 



Thus there is some evidence that the male Otter does not 

 entirely neglect the duties of paternity, though there can be no 

 doubt that the mother has the heavier burden and sometimes 

 bears it alone. The young continue in her care until the winter; 

 probably the bond is broken by the coming on of the new mat- 

 ing season in February. 



Like most of the family, this animal is chiefly nocturnal 

 in habits, but can very often be seen hunting in broad day- 

 light. It resembles its kindred also in its tireless activity. 

 I do not think I ever saw an Otter lying still. The nearest to 

 it are those that are busy feeding. When they rest I do not 

 know. 

 f^,l^' '^^ '^ eminently aquatic, more perfectly so than the Bea- 



ver, and its whole form is admirably adapted to a life in the 

 water. The great weight of its bones, which would make it 

 more clumsy on land, enables it to dive and swim under water 

 with ease."'" So says Kennicott. 



In like strain also, the Chief Mittigwab, of Mattawa. He 

 has several times tried to overtake the Otter while they were 

 swimming in the open lake. Though paddling his best, about 

 six miles an hour, he could not lessen the distance between. 

 They swam like leeches, rolling over and under. He con- 



' 1887, p. 250. "> Quad. 111., 1859, p. 247. 



MING 



