Fauna of Glencairn. 171 



Otter {Lutra vulgaris). 



This is another of our wild animals that is better known in 

 name than in person. He is a true night roamer, and it is only the 

 night fisher — a poacher maybe — that has a chance of seeing him as 

 he is. To many he is probably better known by the marks of his 

 ravages, by some choice trout lying half eaten by the edge of a 

 favourite pool. Trout, salmon, and eels no doubt are his favourite 

 food, but I have also watched one hunting for crustaceans under- 

 neath the small stones by the river's edge. Although a very shy 

 animal by day, he is not so easily disturbed at night when feeding, 

 and may be approached very close if no noise is made. A hole by 

 the river's edge is his favourite hiding place, although one is 

 occasionally bolted from a rabbit burrow a long distance from 

 water. Three young ones at a time must be a usual number, as I 

 have many times seen that number together during an August 

 flood when flooded out of their retreats. 



Roe Deer {Capreolus Caprea). 

 Formerly they were fairly numerous, but they are now very 

 scarce, owing to their destruction on account of their alleged 

 habit of feeding on the shoots of young trees. 



Red Hare {Lepus europceus). 



This fine animal is getting, alas ! too scarce in many parts of 

 the county, and it is only where the proprietor and tenant go hand 

 in hand in protecting it from wanton destruction that its numbers 

 are at all considerable. There is no finer game in this county, be 

 it fur or feather, than the hare, and it seems a cruel shame to see 

 the way some farmers persecute them for the sake of the few 

 shillings they fetch in the market. It is not an animal that gives 

 much sport to shoot, but is always a welcome addition to the bag 

 fnnn the table point of view. A number of years ago coursing by 

 greyhounds was a popular sport, but has been out of vogue in this 

 district for many years now. 



Blue Hare or Mountain Hare {Lepiis iimidus). 



On the higher hills of the district an occasional mountain hare 

 is seen or shot, but this breed never has increased mnch beyond a 

 few. It is not so large as the red hare, but is almost as good 

 eating. During the winter it becomes white, with a few dark 



